BREAKING: EFCC Declares Bayelsa Ex-Governor Timipre Sylva Wanted For $14.8million Alleged Fraud
Breaking News — November 10, 2025
EFCC Declares Ex-Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva Wanted Over Alleged $14.8 Million Fraud
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, wanted over an alleged $14,859,257 fraud.
In a statement released on Monday, Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, said Sylva is being sought in connection with a case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.
According to the Commission, Sylva, 61, hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. The wanted notice follows a warrant issued on November 6, 2025, by the Lagos State High Court.
The statement read:
“The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa State, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of $14,859,257 — part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.
“Sylva, 61, is from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This notice is pursuant to a warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025.
“Anyone with useful information about his whereabouts should contact the Commission through any of its zonal offices across the country, by calling 08093322644, emailing info@efcc.gov.ng, or reporting to the nearest police station or security agency.”
The development comes after SaharaReporters earlier reported that some Nigerian Army personnel raided Sylva’s Abuja residence in connection with an alleged coup plot currently under investigation by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA).
According to multiple security sources, the raid occurred at his Maitama, Abuja residence, where a “special military team” reportedly acted on intelligence linking the former governor to secret meetings with detained military officers. His brother, identified as Paga, was allegedly arrested during the operation, which also extended to Sylva’s Bayelsa home.
However, Julius Bokoru, Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, has dismissed reports that his principal fled the country to evade questioning. He clarified that Sylva is currently abroad for a routine medical check-up and professional engagement.
Bokoru also alleged that Sylva’s Abuja home suffered significant damage during the raid, noting that the security operatives provided no clear explanation or authorisation for their actions.
“Despite sustained efforts, I have been unable to ascertain the reasons or authorisation for this raid. The officers did not provide any categorical explanation for their actions, either at the time or subsequently,” Bokoru said.