The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, wanted over alleged involvement in a financial fraud case amounting to $14,859,257.
In a statement issued on Monday by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the anti-graft agency said Sylva is being sought in connection with allegations of conspiracy and the dishonest conversion of funds belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB). The funds were reportedly invested into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the establishment of a refinery project.
According to the EFCC, a warrant for Sylva’s arrest has been granted by Justice D. I. Dipeolu. The court order authorizes the Commission, the Nigeria Police, and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend Sylva and present him before investigators to answer to the charges.
“Anyone with relevant information regarding the whereabouts of Mr. Timipre Sylva is urged to contact the nearest EFCC office, police division, or any other security agency,” the statement read.
The former governor has not yet responded publicly to the allegations, and efforts to reach his media aides for comment were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.
Sylva, who served as Bayelsa governor from 2007 to 2012 and later as Minister of State for Petroleum under the Buhari administration, was also the 2023 governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State.
Further details on the EFCC investigation are expected to emerge as the search for the former minister intensifies.
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