The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared the immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.
In a public notice released by the anti-graft agency on Thursday, the EFCC said the former Bayelsa State governor is being sought in connection with funds reportedly injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.
According to the EFCC, the amount in question—nearly $15 million—was allegedly diverted for personal or unauthorized use instead of being used for the intended refinery project.
“The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State, Petroleum Resources, and former Governor of Bayelsa State, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257,” the notice stated.
The EFCC added that the wanted declaration follows a warrant of arrest issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025.
The statement, signed by Dele Oyewale, the EFCC’s spokesperson, also urged anyone with information on Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of the Commission’s offices nationwide or reach out via telephone and email.
In the notice, the EFCC listed its offices across Nigeria, including Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt, and Abuja, where information can be provided. The Commission also made available a phone number — 08093322644 — and an email address, [email protected]
For members of the public to send any tips or useful information.
The EFCC’s call for public assistance suggests that investigators may be struggling to locate the former minister, who has remained out of public view in recent weeks.
The case reportedly stems from an investment by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, a private company said to be involved in refinery development in Bayelsa State.
The NCDMB, headquartered in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, was established in 2010 under the Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD) Act to promote local participation and capacity building in the oil and gas industry.
According to EFCC investigators, the Board invested funds into the refinery project as part of efforts to boost local refining capacity. However, the Commission alleges that a significant portion of the money—over $14 million—was dishonestly converted by persons linked to the project, including the former minister.
While the EFCC has not yet provided detailed evidence to the public, sources familiar with the investigation say the Commission has been tracking the flow of the NCDMB investment for months and may file fresh charges once Sylva is located.
Timipre Sylva, 61, hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. He first gained prominence in national politics when he served as Governor of Bayelsa State from 2007 to 2012.
After leaving office, he became a key figure in the All Progressives Congress (APC) and played a major role in the party’s consolidation in the South-South region.
In 2019, President Muhammadu Buhari appointed him as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, where he served until May 2023. During his tenure, Sylva oversaw key policy initiatives in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, including the push for modular refineries and the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
He later resigned to contest the Bayelsa State governorship election under the APC platform in November 2023, but was defeated by the incumbent governor, Douye Diri of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The Commission, established in 2003, has been Nigeria’s leading agency in the fight against financial crimes, including corruption, money laundering, and fraud. Over the years, it has investigated and prosecuted several former governors, ministers, and top public officials.
Under its current leadership, the EFCC has intensified its anti-graft efforts, often publishing wanted notices to alert the public and aid in the arrest of suspects who fail to respond to invitations or court summons.
As of press time, Timipre Sylva had not publicly responded to the EFCC’s notice, and his whereabouts remain unknown.
