EFCC Declares Former Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva Wanted Over Alleged $14.8m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged financial crime involving the sum of $14,859,257.

In a public notice issued by the Commission and signed by its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC stated that Sylva is being sought in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of funds provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.

According to the agency, the declaration follows a warrant issued on November 6, 2025, by the Lagos State High Court. Sylva, 61, hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

“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,” the statement read.

The EFCC urged members of the public with credible information on his whereabouts to contact its offices nationwide, including Abuja, Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Enugu, Gombe, Maiduguri, and Sokoto, or reach the agency via telephone at 08093322644, email at info@efcc.gov.ng, or report to the nearest police station or security agency.

The former minister has not yet issued any public response regarding the notice.