Former Bayelsa State Governor, Mr Timipre Sylva, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Seven United States Dollar (N21,352,752,309.00).
EFCC said the money is part of the funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery. Mr. Sylva also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under the immediate past administration of Muhammadu Buhari.
The Commission, TNT, understands that on November 6, 2025, it secured a warrant for the arrest of the former minister at a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. The Order, granted by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, empowers “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.”
Recent media reports linked Mr Sylva to the alleged coup plot against the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (BPAT). His Abuja and Yenegoa residences were raided by operatives believed to be from the Defence Headquarters.
EFCC enjoins anyone with useful information on Mr Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its Zonal Directorates across the country, or the nearest Police Station or other security agencies.
