The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged $14.8 million fraud.
According to a statement released on Monday by EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale, Sylva, who also served as governor of Bayelsa State, is wanted in connection with a case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257. The funds were reportedly part of an investment made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.
The commission said the declaration followed a warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025.
“The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa State, is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257,” the agency’s notice read in part.
The EFCC urged anyone with information about Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide or report to the nearest police station. Contact details, including the hotline (08093322644) and official email (info@efcc.gov.ng), were provided in the notice.
Sylva, 61, hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.
The development comes weeks after security operatives reportedly searched Sylva’s residence in Abuja over a separate matter linked to an alleged coup plot, according to reports.
The EFCC has intensified its efforts in recent months to prosecute high-profile corruption cases as part of its renewed anti-graft campaign.
