EFCC declares Timipre Sylva, ex–Bayelsa governor wanted over alleged $14.8m fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, wanted over alleged involvement in a $14.8 million fraud.
In a statement issued on Monday, by Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, the anti-graft agency said Sylva is being sought in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of funds amounting to $14,859,257.
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According to the EFCC, the money represents part of the funds reportedly injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery project.
The Commission disclosed that on November 6, 2025, it obtained a warrant for Sylva’s arrest from a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
The order, granted by D.I. Dipeolu (Justice) authorised law enforcement agencies to apprehend the former minister and bring him before the Commission to respond to the allegations against him.
Quoting the court order, the EFCC stated: “An order is made issuing a warrant to the Applicant or any Officer of the Commission, Police, or any law enforcement officer for the arrest of the Respondent for the purpose of bringing him before the Commission to answer to the criminal offence he is alleged to have committed.”
The anti-graft agency urged members of the public with useful information about Sylva’s whereabouts to report to any of its zonal offices nationwide or contact the nearest police station or security agency.
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Sylva, who served as Bayelsa State Governor between 2007 and 2012, was later appointed Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.
