EFCC Declares Former Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva Wanted Over $14.85M Refinery Fraud — Nigerians Call It Another Political Witch Hunt

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged $14.85 million fraud involving funds meant for a modular refinery project.

According to the EFCC, the money was part of a $35 million allocation belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB), earmarked for constructing the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited. Investigators allege that Sylva diverted and mismanaged the funds during his time as minister, ignoring multiple EFCC invitations before being declared wanted. The commission has reportedly placed him on Interpol, FBI, UK, and Canada watchlists as part of the ongoing probe.

Sylva, however, has dismissed the allegations as a politically motivated attack, describing it as “another witch hunt” aimed at silencing opposition figures. He claimed that the EFCC never invited him for questioning before making the declaration, adding humorously that “they may soon send Man O’War or Boys Scout after me.”

This development comes just weeks after soldiers raided Sylva’s Abuja home, following intelligence that he allegedly funded a failed coup against President Bola Tinubu. Sylva denied the claims, stating he was in the UK with his wife for medical reasons when the raid occurred.

Political analysts believe the renewed EFCC action could be part of a broader strategy to pressure Sylva into aligning with the ruling APC, following the defection of Bayelsa Governor Douye Diri. Many Nigerians are comparing his situation to that of former Delta State Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, who faced similar EFCC charges in 2024 but later joined the APC, after which his case quietly disappeared.

This isn’t Sylva’s first encounter with the anti-graft agency. In 2015, the EFCC dropped charges against him for allegedly mismanaging over ₦21 billion as governor, citing lack of evidence. However, the current case dates back to 2020, when he served under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration as Minister of State for Petroleum.

As of press time, Sylva remains at large, while the EFCC maintains that the investigation is ongoing.