The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged $14.8 million fraud.
A statement posted on the Commission’s official social media handles on Monday and signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Dele Oyewale, said Sylva is wanted in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
According to the EFCC, the sum formed part of the funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.
The notice stated: “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 EFCC in an alleged case of Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of $14,859,257.
“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.”
The anti-graft agency urged anyone with useful information on Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its zonal offices across the country or reach the Commission through 08093322644, [info@efcc.gov.ng](mailto:info@efcc.gov.ng), or the nearest police station.
The development comes weeks after Sylva was mentioned in an alleged coup plot, which he has since denied through his media aide, Mr. Julius Bokoru.
Bokoru said the former governor had no connection with the said plot, adding that he was abroad for medical and official engagements when the military reportedly raided his Abuja residence and arrested some of his associates.
