The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has officially declared Timipre Sylva, former Minister of Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, wanted over allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of public funds amounting to $14.8 million.
According to a statement issued by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, the funds in question were part of an investment made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited. The investment was meant for the construction of a refinery project but was allegedly diverted under questionable circumstances.
The EFCC disclosed that it obtained a warrant of arrest from the Federal High Court in Lagos on November 6, 2025, authorizing law enforcement agencies to apprehend Sylva. The order, issued by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, mandates officers of the Commission, the Police, or any other law enforcement agency to arrest and bring Sylva before the EFCC for interrogation over the alleged financial crime.
Part of the court order reads:
“An order is made issuing a warrant 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 bringing him before the Commission to answer to the criminal offence he is alleged to have committed.”
The anti-graft agency emphasized that the allegations revolve around conspiracy and dishonest conversion of funds originally intended to promote Nigeria’s local content and petroleum value chain through refinery development.
In its appeal to the public, the EFCC urged Nigerians to cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could lead to Sylva’s arrest.
“The Commission also enjoins anyone with useful information on his whereabouts to contact any of its Zonal Directorates across the country or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies,” Oyewale added.
As of the time of this report, the EFCC has not disclosed whether any other individuals are currently under investigation in connection with the case. The development marks another high-profile anti-corruption move by the Commission as it intensifies efforts to recover misappropriated public funds and hold top political figures accountable.