A major political controversy has emerged after the EFCC Declares Timipre Sylva Wanted for alleged involvement in a multi-million-dollar corruption case. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday officially announced that Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of Petroleum Resources and past Governor of Bayelsa State, is wanted in connection with a financial scandal involving funds reportedly meant for refinery development.
According to the anti-graft agency, Sylva is being investigated for alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257 (Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Seven U.S. Dollars). The EFCC said the funds in question were part of an investment by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, a project intended for the construction of a refinery.
In its official statement, the commission revealed that on November 6, 2025, it obtained a warrant of arrest from the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. The order, granted by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, authorized the EFCC, police officers, or any law enforcement agent to apprehend the former minister and bring him before the commission to answer for the alleged financial crimes. The EFCC also appealed to the public for any information about Sylva’s whereabouts, urging citizens to reach out to any of its zonal offices, nearby police stations, or other security agencies.
The news that the EFCC Declares Timipre Sylva Wanted comes just days after the former minister was forced to deny another controversy — rumors that he was plotting against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. His Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru, dismissed the speculation as the handwork of political rivals trying to discredit Sylva and hinder his future political ambitions.
Bokoru claimed that these “desperate and narcissistic politicians” view Sylva as an obstacle to their 2027 ambitions, describing the rumor as an orchestrated campaign to tarnish his reputation. He further emphasized that Sylva remains a committed democrat and a strong supporter of President Tinubu’s administration.
Backing his claim, Bokoru noted that Sylva recently rallied the full structure of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Bayelsa State to publicly endorse President Tinubu during the APC Bayelsa expanded stakeholders’ meeting. He said this action demonstrates Sylva’s loyalty and long-standing commitment to the ruling party and its leadership.
However, the EFCC Declares Timipre Sylva Wanted development coincides with reports that Sylva’s Abuja residence was recently raided by individuals believed to be linked to the Defence Headquarters. According to Bokoru, the raid resulted in significant damage to the property, though the operatives allegedly provided no explanation for their actions.
Bokoru also confirmed that Sylva and his wife were outside Nigeria at the time of the incident. He clarified that Sylva was in the United Kingdom undergoing a routine medical examination and was expected to travel to Malaysia soon for a professional conference.
As reactions continue to trail the EFCC’s announcement, Nigerians are divided on the issue. Some view the agency’s move as a legitimate step in the country’s fight against corruption, while others see it as politically motivated. For now, the EFCC Declares Timipre Sylva Wanted saga has not only intensified the debate over accountability among Nigeria’s political elite but has also raised new questions about the intersection of justice and politics in the nation’s governance.
Source: Per Multiple Report