The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted over alleged involvement in a $14.8 million fraud case.
In a statement issued on Monday by the Commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC said Sylva is being sought in connection with allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
According to the anti-graft agency, the funds were part of an investment made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.
The EFCC revealed that it obtained a warrant of arrest for Sylva from the Federal High Court in Lagos on November 6, 2025.
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Justice D. I. Dipeolu, who issued the order, ruled that:
“An order is 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 Commission urged anyone with useful information regarding Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its zonal offices, the nearest police station, or other security agencies.
As of the time of this report, Sylva has not released any official statement regarding the EFCC’s declaration.
