Chief Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum, has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, requesting a mutually agreed-upon date to respond to its invitation about an alleged $14.8 million fraud.
Sylva, in a letter personally signed and delivered to the EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, criticized the commission’s decision to designate him wanted, claiming that he had never declined any valid invitation.
The letter, dated November 24 and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26, indicated that he was receiving immediate medical care for a “life-threatening condition.”
He said he was speaking with his medical staff to see whether he might temporarily postpone treatment to appear before the panel.
“In view of the foregoing, I most humbly request that a mutually agreed date be set, subject to medical clearance, to enable me to appear physically and formally,” he wrote.
“I trust that the objective of your invitation is not to unalive but to genuinely investigate an alleged crime. For only the living can appropriately, fully, and responsibly respond to any allegation, which I firmly and respectfully deny.”
Sylva recounted recent events that had put him, his family, and acquaintances under strain, starting with “an unverified accusation” linking him to an alleged plot to overthrow President Bola Tinubu’s government.
He stated that the situation developed into a military raid on his Abuja home, during which numerous people, including his drivers, security aides, and domestic staff, were arrested and remain detained.
“While still grappling with the emotional and psychological strain of those events, I was, on Monday, November 10, 2025, publicly declared wanted by your esteemed agency over an alleged $14.8m fraud,” he said.
Sylva insisted that he had previously accepted an EFCC invitation in December 2024 on the same case, following which he was given administrative release on self-recognition and informed that he would be contacted again if necessary.
“To the best of my knowledge and belief, no further invitation or correspondence was issued to me thereafter,” he wrote, saying it was “deeply surprising and profoundly unsettling” to learn through a public announcement that he had been declared wanted.
He further denied that he jumped bail, adding, “No such incident occurred, nor was any such bail condition ever violated.”
Sylva stated that the new moves against him may generate “a public impression of a political witch-hunt” and that he has appeared to be a “target since the beginning of this administration.”
Sylva, a leader of the All Progressives Congress, has recently been implicated in an alleged failed military coup.
His Abuja home was invaded by operators suspected to be from military intelligence, and he was declared sought by the EFCC.
During the raid, his younger brother, Paga, who works as his special assistant on domestic affairs, and his driver were reportedly detained.
His Special Assistant for Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru, acknowledged the raid while denying Sylva’s role in any coup plot.
He accused unnamed politicians of inciting trouble because they saw the former governor as a danger to their goals.
Bokoru also criticized the EFCC for declaring Sylva wanted, claiming he was never invited prior to the announcement.
