Why EFCC declared ex-Bayelsa Governor, Timipre Sylva wanted | READ DETAILS
Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and governor of Bayelsa State, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The anti-graft Agency declared Sylva wanted on Monday over an alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
In a public notice, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale said the funds were provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB for Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.
Sources also revealed that Sylva had been placed on the watchlists of the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation, Interpol, the United Kingdom Metropolitan Police, and security agencies in Canada and other countries.
The EFCC spokesman, Oyewale, said the commission on November 6, 2025, obtained a Federal High Court arrest warrant in Lagos.
Justice D.I. Dipeolu granted the order, directing law enforcement to arrest Sylva and bring him before the commission to answer to the alleged criminal offence.
This development comes 27 days after the House of Representatives resolved to probe the alleged mismanagement of a $35m investment by the NCDMB in a modular refinery project that never materialised in the Niger Delta.
The motion, moved by House member, Billy Osawaru, raised concerns over the non-existence of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited despite significant federal investment five years ago.
Stakeholders had petitioned the EFCC in May 2024 to investigate NCDMB’s multi-million-dollar investments, including the Atlantic project, but the agency reportedly remained silent.
Following this, the House directed its Committees on Midstream, Downstream, and Legislative Compliance to investigate the $35m investment and report findings within four weeks.
Sylva, a former Bayelsa State governor and All Progressives Congress chieftain, recently made headlines after his Abuja residence was raided by the military on October 25 over alleged involvement in a coup attempt.
His younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, and his driver were arrested.
According to his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru, Sylva is currently in the United Kingdom.
