by Ola Williams-
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, wanted in connection with an alleged $14,859,257 fraud.
In a statement issued on Monday, Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, said Sylva is wanted for “Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of funds that were injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.”
According to Oyewale, the 61-year-old former minister hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He added that the notice follows a warrant issued on November 6, 2025, by the Lagos State High Court.
The EFCC statement 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, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, or Abuja offices; call 08093322644; email info@efcc.gov.ng; or contact the nearest Police Station or other security agencies.”
Meanwhile, Paparazzi Online had earlier reported that some Nigerian Army personnel raided Sylva’s Abuja residence in connection with an alleged coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
According to multiple security sources, the raid was carried out by a “special military team” after intelligence allegedly linked the former South-South governor to secret meetings with detained military officers.
“Nigerian Army special team ransacked the home of Timipre Sylva, who is believed to have fled Nigeria,” a top source told Paparazzi Online. “His brother, named Paga, was picked up during the raid. The operation also extended to his Bayelsa residence.”
However, Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, refuted claims that his principal had fled the country to evade questioning.
“The former minister has been abroad for a routine medical check-up and a professional engagement,” Bokoru said.
He added that Sylva’s Abuja home suffered significant damage during the raid, lamenting the absence of clarity regarding the motives or authorisation behind the operation.
“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid,” Bokoru stated. “The officers did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently.”
