EFCC Declares Former Minister Timipre Sylva Wanted Over Alleged $14.8 Million Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, wanted over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.

According to a statement released by the anti-graft agency on Thursday, the funds in question were part of investments made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery project.

The EFCC stated:

“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 – part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a Refinery.”

Sylva, 61, hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

The EFCC added that the declaration follows a warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6, 2025, authorizing his arrest and prosecution.

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As of press time, the former minister has not publicly commented on the allegations or the EFCC’s declaration.

The development comes amid ongoing investigations into the management of public investments in the oil and gas sector, particularly funds channelled through the NCDMB.