The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Timipre Sylva, former Governor of Bayelsa State and former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, wanted over an alleged $14.8 million fraud. The anti-graft agency said Sylva is wanted for 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.
“The public is hereby notified that TIMIPRE SYLVA, a former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of $14,859,257,” the EFCC statement read.
The EFCC obtained a warrant for Sylva’s arrest from the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025. Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity for the EFCC, urged the public to provide any useful information about Sylva’s whereabouts, saying, “Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: info@efcc.gov.ng or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.”
Sylva, 61, from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, has been accused of misappropriating funds meant for the construction of a refinery. The EFCC emphasized the importance of public cooperation in ensuring Sylva’s apprehension.
