The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Bayelsa State governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of US$14,859,257.
In a public notice released on Monday, the spokesman of the EFCC, Dele Oyewale, said the funds were provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board for Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical.
The notice read, “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—part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.
“Sylva, 61, is from the Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This notice is pursuant to a November 6, 2025, warrant of the Lagos State High Court.
“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: info@efcc.gov.ng; or the nearest police station and other security agencies.”
Sylva has also been fingered in a failed coup to oust the President Bola Tinubu-led government.
His Abuja home was reportedly raided by investigators in October, with military operatives arresting his younger brother, Paga, who is his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, and going away with his driver.
The raid comes amid military investigators probing an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu. They grilled a managing director of a federal government agency in the South-South region.
Two intelligence officers stated that the MD was arrested for allegedly transferring a large sum of money to Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources who has been identified as one of the financiers of the purported plot to overthrow the government.
According to reports, detectives suspect the payments were intended to bankroll the coup.
“The MD (name withheld) transferred a huge sum of money to Sylva. Investigators are working on the theory that the fund transfer was connected to the coup. He is presently answering questions about what the money was meant for.”
Sources with knowledge of the operation explained that Timipre was planning to return to the country when he heard that the coup leaders had been arrested. He thus shelved his plan to return home.
“Sylva’s Abuja home was raided on Saturday, but he wasn’t around. His younger brother, Paga, who is the SA, domestic, and the driver, was arrested.
“Investigators believe Sylva allegedly funded the coup plot. Sylva was abroad and was preparing to leave for Nigeria when he got wind of the arrest of the coup leaders. So, he stayed back.”
The Armed Forces stated on October 4 that 16 officers had been jailed for violating military regulations and engaging in acts of indiscipline.
“The Armed Forces of Nigeria wishes to inform the public that a routine military exercise has resulted in the arrest of sixteen officers over issues of indiscipline and breach of service regulations.
“Investigations have revealed that their grievances stemmed largely from perceived career stagnation caused by repeated failure in promotion examinations,” the statement partly read.
However, SaharaReporters said that the imprisoned officials, ranging in rank from captain to brigadier general, were being held by the Defense Intelligence Agency for allegedly planning to overthrow the government.
It further claimed that the officers were arrested in their homes around the country.
“The 16 officers were planning a coup. The military authorities were just being diplomatic in the statement released by the spokesperson. They have started holding secret meetings on how to overthrow the president and other top government officials,” SaharaReporters quoted an unnamed official.
The former minister and All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain was outside the country during the operation.
