EFCC DECLARES FORMER GOVERNOR TIMIPRE SYLVA WANTED OVER ALLEGED $14.8 MILLION FRAUD

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has declared Timipre Sylva, the former Governor of Bayelsa State and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, wanted. The declaration is in connection with an alleged fraud of $14.8 million.

In a statement on Monday, Dele Oyewale, the Head of Media & Publicity for the EFCC, detailed the accusations. He stated that Sylva is wanted for the offences of Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of funds. The funds in question were reportedly injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.

This public announcement follows a warrant for his arrest issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025. The EFCC has called upon the public for assistance, urging anyone with information regarding Timipre Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its offices located in major cities across the country.

Dele Oyewale emphasised the critical role of the public in this matter. He stated, “We urge anyone with information about Sylva’s whereabouts to contact its offices in major cities.” He further emphasised the importance of public cooperation in ensuring Sylva’s apprehension.