EFCC Seals Sylva’s Abuja Residence Amid Alleged Fraud Probe

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday sealed the Abuja residence of former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, in connection with an alleged $14.8 million fraud.

The sealing of the Maitama home, according to Julius Bokoru, Special Assistant to Sylva, was executed without prior notification, subpoena, or warrant, describing the action as “a grave breach of decency.”

In a statement titled “A grave breach of decency: EFCC’s attempted raid and defacement of Sylva’s family home,” Bokoru condemned the move, saying it violated basic legal procedures and undermined the principles of a civilised society.

“No courtesy. No procedure. No humanity. It is behaviour unbecoming of any institution that claims to act in the national interest,” the statement read in part.

The EFCC had in November declared the former governor wanted over allegations of fraud. Earlier, military intelligence operatives had also stormed Sylva’s residence, detaining his brother and driver over purported links to a failed coup attempt.

Bokoru further noted that Sylva had written to the commission last week, requesting a mutually agreed date to respond to its invitation, a request he said was disregarded in the latest operation.

The former minister’s aides decried what they termed a “troubling assault” on his family’s residence, insisting that all dealings with him should adhere strictly to due process.