The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
According to the EFCC, the money was part of funds invested by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, a company reportedly linked to Sylva. The investment was meant for the construction of a refinery but was allegedly diverted.
In a statement signed by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale on Monday evening, the anti-graft agency said the notice followed a warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025.
“Sylva, 61, from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, is wanted for questioning. Anyone with useful information on his whereabouts should contact any of our offices nationwide,” the statement read.
The EFCC listed its offices across major cities including Lagos, Abuja, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Enugu for public assistance.
Timipre Sylva, a former Governor of Bayelsa State and Minister under President Buhari’s administration, has had a long and controversial political career. He has faced multiple corruption allegations in the past, most of which were later withdrawn or stalled in court.
In recent months, Sylva’s name resurfaced after reports linked him to an alleged coup plot – an accusation his aides dismissed as politically motivated. The latest EFCC action marks another major turn in the long-running scrutiny surrounding the politician.
