Former Petroleum Minister Declared Wanted by Anti-Graft Agency
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has officially declared Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, as a wanted person. This declaration came through an official statement released on Monday, November 10, 2025.
The anti-graft agency's Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the development via the EFCC's official X handle @officialEFCC. The commission is seeking Sylva in connection with serious financial crimes that have raised eyebrows across Nigeria's political landscape.
Details of the Alleged Financial Crimes
According to the EFCC statement, Sylva is wanted for an alleged case of Conspiracy and Dishonest Conversion of $14,859,257. This substantial amount represents part of funds that were injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.
The funds were originally intended for the construction of a refinery, a critical infrastructure project that would have benefited Nigeria's oil and gas sector. The EFCC alleges that these funds were improperly converted for other purposes, leading to the current legal action against the former minister.
The 61-year-old politician from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State now faces serious legal consequences following a warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025.
How the Public Can Assist
The EFCC has called on members of the public to provide any useful information regarding Sylva's whereabouts. The commission has provided multiple channels through which information can be shared:
- Contact any EFCC office in Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja
- Call the dedicated hotline: 08093322644
- Send information via email to: info@efcc.gov.ng
- Report to the nearest Police Station or other security agencies
This case represents another significant move by Nigeria's anti-corruption agencies in their ongoing battle against financial crimes involving high-profile political figures. The declaration of a former minister and state governor as wanted underscores the seriousness with which authorities are treating this matter.
The development has sent shockwaves through political circles, particularly given Sylva's previous positions of authority in both Bayelsa State government and the federal petroleum ministry. As the situation unfolds, Nigerians await further developments in this high-profile case.
