EFCC declares former minister Timipre Sylva wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, wanted.

EFCC stated that the former Bayelsa State governor is wanted in connection with an alleged case of Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of $14,859,257.

A public notice signed by EFCC’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale read:

“The public is hereby notified that TIMIPRE SYLVA, a former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, whose photograph appears above is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of $14,859,257 – part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a Refinery. Sylva, 61, is from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“This notice is pursuant to a November 6, 2025 warrant of the Lagos State High Court.

Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, florin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: info@efcc.gov.ng
or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”

See EFCC’s posts below:

pic.twitter.com/9E8E8cKghi

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) November 10, 2025
EFCC Declares Timipre Sylva Wanted

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has declared a former Minister of Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva wanted.

Sylva is wanted in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and… pic.twitter.com/aoN0RUG1pK

— EFCC Nigeria (@officialEFCC) November 10, 2025
Recall that the former Bayelsa governor recently dismissed allegations linking him to an alleged coup plot, calling the reports false, baseless, and politically motivated.

In a statement signed by his Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, Sylva stated that he has no connection whatsoever to any coup-related activity, emphasising that he remains a committed democrat and loyal supporter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

According to Bokoru, the rumours were part of a smear campaign by political opponents seeking to tarnish Sylva’s image ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“The allegations are entirely false and malicious. Chief Timipre Sylva has no link to any coup plot. His record in politics and governance has been one of dialogue, peace, and democratic engagement,” the media aide said.