EFCC Declares Former Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva Wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted over alleged financial crimes.

In a statement released on Monday, the anti-graft agency said Sylva is wanted in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257 (Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Seven United States Dollars). The money, according to the EFCC, was part of funds invested by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.

The Commission added that on November 6, 2025, it obtained an arrest warrant against Sylva from the Federal High Court in Lagos. The order, issued by Justice D. I. Dipeolu, authorized the EFCC and other law enforcement agencies to arrest Sylva and bring him before the Commission to answer for the alleged offences.

The EFCC urged anyone with useful information about his whereabouts to contact its nearest zonal office, any police station, or other relevant security agencies.

The development comes days after Sylva, through his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru, denied rumours linking him to a coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Bokoru described those spreading the rumours as “desperate and narcissistic politicians” who view Sylva as an obstacle to their 2027 political ambitions. He said their desperation had led them to launch baseless attacks due to Sylva’s growing influence and credibility.

Defending his principal, Bokoru called Sylva a “thoroughbred democrat” who remains a strong supporter of President Tinubu and the current administration. He noted that Sylva recently mobilised the All Progressives Congress (APC) structure in Bayelsa State to publicly endorse the President during an expanded stakeholders’ meeting.

Bokoru also confirmed that Sylva’s Abuja residence was recently raided by individuals suspected to be operatives from the Defence Headquarters, resulting in significant damage to the property. He added that no reason was given for the operation.

According to him, Sylva and his wife were outside the country at the time, the former governor was reportedly in the United Kingdom for a routine medical check and was expected to travel to Malaysia for a professional conference.