EFCC Declares Former Minister Timipre Sylva Wanted Over $14.8 Million Corruption Allegation

 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and one-time Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, wanted over alleged financial crimes amounting to more than $14.8 million.

According to a statement released by the anti-graft agency, Sylva is being sought in connection with a case involving alleged conspiracy, criminal breach of trust, and dishonest conversion of public funds totaling $14,859,257 (Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Seven United States Dollars). The funds, the EFCC said, were part of the capital injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the purpose of constructing a refinery in Bayelsa State.

The commission alleges that the former minister, who served under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, misappropriated and converted the funds for personal use in violation of public trust. The EFCC stated that Sylva’s actions undermined the objectives of the NCDMB, which was established to promote indigenous participation and investment in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.

In a significant development, the EFCC on November 6, 2025, obtained a warrant of arrest for the embattled politician from the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. The order, granted by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, authorized the commission and other law enforcement agencies to apprehend Sylva and bring him before investigators to answer questions relating to the allegations.

Part of the court order read: An order is hereby made issuing a warrant to 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.

The EFCC has therefore called on members of the public to assist in locating the former minister. The agency urged anyone with credible information on Sylva’s whereabouts to report to the nearest EFCC office, police station, or any other security agency across the country.

This is not the first time the former governor has faced corruption allegations. Sylva, who governed Bayelsa State between 2007 and 2012, had earlier been investigated by the EFCC for alleged embezzlement and money laundering involving billions of naira. Those earlier cases, however, were later dismissed.

Timipre Sylva, a key political figure in the Niger Delta region, was a prominent member of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and played a major role in the party’s campaigns in the South-South region. His tenure as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources saw him supervise key initiatives in the oil and gas industry, including Nigeria’s marginal field bid rounds and the implementation of policies aimed at boosting local refining capacity.

Despite these contributions, his recent troubles with the anti-graft agency have cast a shadow over his political career. The EFCC’s declaration comes amid renewed efforts by the commission to intensify the fight against corruption in both the public and private sectors.

Meanwhile, attempts to reach Sylva or his representatives for comments have been unsuccessful, as his known telephone lines remained unreachable at press time. There has also been no official statement from the APC or the NCDMB regarding the allegations.

The EFCC emphasized that its pursuit of justice is not politically motivated but guided by the need to ensure accountability and transparency in the management of public resources. The commission reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law, noting that no individual, regardless of their political status or influence, is above the law.

As the investigation unfolds, the case against Timipre Sylva is expected to generate significant attention, given his high-profile status and previous service in one of Nigeria’s most strategic ministries. The EFCC’s declaration signals yet another bold move in the ongoing national campaign against financial mismanagement and corruption in public office.