“EFCC Declares Ex-Bayelsa Governor Timipre Sylva Wanted Over $14.8M Fraud Allegations”
Story: written by Daniel November 11,2025
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Timipre Sylva, former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, wanted in connection with an alleged $14.8 million fraud.
In a statement on Monday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC’s Head of Media, said Sylva is being sought for allegedly conspiring to dishonestly convert funds totaling $14,859,257. The money reportedly came from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and was meant for the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited project.
The Commission noted that a Federal High Court in Lagos, presided over by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, issued a warrant for Sylva’s arrest on November 6, 2025. The court authorized law enforcement to apprehend him and bring him before the EFCC to answer the allegations.
The EFCC called on the public to provide any information on Sylva’s location to its zonal offices, nearby police stations, or other security agencies. Sylva governed Bayelsa State from 2007 to 2012 and later served in the federal cabinet under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
