The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has labeled Timipre Sylva, the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and past Governor of Bayelsa State, as wanted due to an alleged fraud amounting to $14.86 million.
In a statement released yesterday, Dele Oyewale, the spokesperson for EFCC, indicated that Sylva is being sought for purported conspiracy and fraudulent appropriation of funds belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
According to the anti-corruption agency, the sum in question is part of the investment made by NCDMB in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, aimed at establishing a modular refinery aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s domestic refining capabilities and fostering local engagement in the oil and gas industry.
On November 6, 2025, EFCC obtained a judicial warrant for the arrest of Sylva from Justice D.I. Dipeolu at the Federal High Court in Lagos.
This order mandated any officer of the EFCC, police, or other law enforcement personnel to apprehend Sylva and present him to the commission “to respond to the alleged criminal act he is accused of committing.”
The commission encouraged anyone possessing information regarding his location to reach out to any of its zonal offices, the closest police station, or any security agencies.
The statement emphasized, “The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has placed a former Minister of Petroleum Resources and former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, on a wanted list.
“Sylva is sought in relation to an alleged conspiracy and fraudulent conversion involving $14,859,257 (Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty Seven United States Dollars), which is part of the funds put forth by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the development of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for a refinery project.
“The commission secured an arrest warrant for the ex-Minister on November 6, 2025, at a Federal High Court in Lagos. The order, granted by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, stated that ‘a warrant is issued to the Applicant or any Officer of the Commission, Police or any law enforcement officer for the arrest of the respondent for the purpose of presenting him to the Commission to address the criminal offense he is accused of.’
“The Commission also encourages anyone with relevant information about his location to contact its Zonal Directorates throughout the nation or the nearest police station and other security entities.”
Sylva, who held the ministerial position from 2019 to 2023, was the APC’s candidate for governor during the 2023 Bayelsa elections.
This declaration arises as the EFCC intensifies its efforts against significant corruption cases, as the agency amplifies its attempts to recover misappropriated public funds and hold those in politically influential positions responsible. a modular refinery aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s domestic refining capabilities and fostering local engagement in the oil and gas industry.