Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, wanted in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of over $14.8 million.
The anti-graft agency stated that the funds in question were provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the construction of the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.
Arrest Warrant Issued
The public notice, released on Monday by the EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, indicated that a Lagos State High Court issued an arrest warrant for the 61-year-old on November 6, 2025.
The court order grants the EFCC, police, or any law enforcement officer the authority to arrest Mr. Sylva to face charges related to the alleged criminal offence.
The development comes less than a month after the House of Representatives resolved to probe the alleged mismanagement of a thirty-five million dollars ($35m) investment by the NCDMB in the modular refinery project, which reportedly never materialised in the Niger Delta.
Recent Troubles
Mr. Sylva, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has recently been in the news for other legal issues. His Abuja residence was reportedly raided by the military on October 25 over his alleged involvement in an attempted coup plot.
Mr. Sylva’s Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs and his driver were arrested during the military operation, though the minister was reported to be out of the country at the time. His media aide has publicly denied any involvement in a coup and criticised the military for the action.
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