The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday refuted claims that its operatives raided the Abuja residence of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, insisting that the property was only marked as part of an ongoing investigation.
The EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, told the press that the operation at Sylva’s Maitama property was a routine investigative procedure and not a raid.
“What happened on those premises was not a raid. As an operational principle, we do not conduct raids. What happened on the premises of Sylva was some markings of buildings that were identified for investigation,” Oyewale said.
He also disclosed that assets relevant to the investigation were marked and that no force was applied or residents ejected.
“No force was applied. All the residents of the building were not ejected. There was no forceful intrusion into the premises. We came, we did our job, and we left. And for us to do that, we don’t need a court order,” he added.
Oyewale also mentioned that Sylva had already been declared wanted and that the commission’s actions were part of the ongoing investigation.
“We don’t need a court order. He is a suspect who is under investigation who had already been declared wanted. So, whatever we are doing is in furtherance of our investigation into the matter.
“I consider it very strange that he is making such an insinuation. We have not operated outside the law. What we did is in line with our investigation,” he said.
Earlier, Sylva’s Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Chief Julius Bokoru, denounced the EFCC’s “sealing” of the residence as arbitrary and vindictive.
“Without a single letter, without a subpoena, without a warrant, without notification, and without even the most basic adherence to lawful process,” Bokoru stated.
He also stated that the commission’s activities constituted political intervention, which might weaken democratic institutions.
On November 10, the EFCC proclaimed Sylva sought for suspected conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
