The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially declared Chief Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, wanted in connection with an alleged $14.8 million fraud involving public funds earmarked for a refinery project.
According to a statement released by the EFCC and signed by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, Sylva is being sought for questioning over allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257. The funds were reportedly injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery in Nigeria.
The EFCC disclosed that the declaration follows a warrant of arrest issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025. Justice D.I. Dipeolu authorized the warrant, enabling law enforcement officers to apprehend Sylva for interrogation regarding the alleged financial misconduct.
In its public notice, the EFCC stated: “The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State, 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.”
Sylva, 61, hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State and has held prominent roles in Nigeria’s political and energy sectors. The EFCC urges anyone with useful information regarding his whereabouts to contact the nearest police station or EFCC office.
This development comes amid heightened scrutiny of public sector investments and accountability in Nigeria’s oil and gas industry. The EFCC reaffirmed its commitment to pursuing justice and recovering misappropriated public funds.