EFCC Declares Ex-Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva Wanted Over $14.8m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, wanted over alleged involvement in a $14.8 million fraud.

According to a statement issued by the anti-graft agency’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, the former Bayelsa State governor is being sought in connection with a case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.

The EFCC said the amount formed part of funds invested by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.

“The public is hereby notified that TIMIPRE SYLVA, former Minister of State for 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,” the statement read.

“Sylva, 61, hails 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.”

The Commission urged anyone with useful information about his whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide — including Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja — or reach out via 08093322644, email info@efcc.gov.ng, or report to the nearest police station or other security agencies.

Sylva, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), previously served as Minister under former President Muhammadu Buhari and was the party’s governorship candidate in the 2023 Bayelsa election.