Timipre Sylva is wanted over ‘$14.8m fraud’ – EFCC

Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-governor of Bayelsa State, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, over an alleged $14.8 million fraud.

Sylva, aged 61, is from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

In a statement issued by its Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC said the funds formed part of the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, NCDMB, investment in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery — an investment the commission alleges was diverted.

Oyewale disclosed that the anti-graft agency secured a warrant of arrest from the Federal High Court in Lagos on November 6, 2025, issued by Justice D. Dipeolu, authorising Sylva’s arrest and interrogation. He urged members of the public to provide credible information that could lead to locating the former minister.

“Anyone with useful information on his whereabouts should contact any EFCC Zonal Directorate, the nearest police station, or other security agencies,” the statement read.