EFCC in search of Timipre Sylva for diverting $14.8m

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is searching for Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, over alleged conspiracy and misappropriation of $14.8 million intended for a refinery project.

In a public notice on Monday, the anti-graft agency said the funds were reportedly provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.

The commission made a public notice published on its X page on Monday.

The notice reads: “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 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.

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“Sylva, 61, is from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This notice is pursuant to a November 6, 2025 warrant of the Lagos State High Court.

“Anybody with useful information as to his whereabouts should please contact the Commission in its Ibadan, Uyo, Sokoto, Maiduguri, Benin, Makurdi, Kaduna, Ilorin, Enugu, Kano, Lagos, Gombe, Port Harcourt or Abuja offices or through 08093322644; its e-mail address: info@efcc.gov.ng or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies”

A Lagos State High Court issued a warrant for Sylva’s arrest on November 6, 2025. The EFCC is appealing to the public for information on his location, providing contact points at its offices nationwide, including Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt, Kaduna, and Enugu. Tip-offs can also be shared via the EFCC hotline at 08093322644 or through email at info@efcc.gov.ng.

Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, faces allegations of diverting funds meant for the refinery project for personal use.

Tags: EFCC Timipre Sylva