The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged dishonest conversion of $14.8 million belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
In a notice signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC said the funds were part of capital allocated to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for refinery development. The declaration, it added, follows a warrant issued on November 6, 2025, by the Lagos State High Court.
“The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva… is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257,” the notice read.
The Commission urged members of the public with information on his whereabouts to report to any EFCC office, police formation, or relevant security agency.
Sylva, 61, is from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
Coup allegation remains in the background
The development comes amid ongoing speculation linking Sylva to an alleged plot to destabilise the government of President Bola Tinubu — a claim he and his associates have repeatedly dismissed.
Reports last week indicated that military investigators questioned the head of a Federal Government agency over alleged fund transfers to Sylva said to be tied to the purported plot. Security operatives also reportedly searched his Abuja residence.
Sylva’s media aide, Julius Bokoru, described the allegations as “baseless and politically motivated,” insisting the former minister travelled abroad for medical reasons and professional engagements. He said Sylva remained a “committed democrat” who had supported President Tinubu, including during the 2023 and 2027 political mobilisations in Bayelsa.
The Defence Headquarters earlier stated that it had found no credible evidence of any coup plot.
Past legal issues
Sylva, who governed Bayelsa between 2007 and 2012 and later served in the Buhari administration, has previously faced corruption-related investigations. Some earlier cases were later withdrawn or struck out by the courts.
The EFCC declaration adds a renewed layer of political and legal scrutiny around the former minister as the investigation unfolds.
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