By John Umeh
The media office of former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, has sharply criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) after operatives sealed his home in the upscale Maitama district of Abuja.
Sylva’s spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, issued a strongly worded statement on Monday accusing the anti-graft agency of breaching lawful procedure and carrying out what he described as a “disgraceful and unwarranted operation.”
The EFCC had last month declared Sylva wanted in connection with an alleged $14.8 million fraud. The move followed an earlier raid by military intelligence officers on the former minister’s Abuja residence, during which his brother and driver were detained over alleged links to a purported coup plot. Sylva’s team insisted that he was never formally invited by the EFCC before being listed as wanted.
Bokoru noted that Sylva had already written to the commission seeking a mutually agreed date to appear for questioning, making the fresh action unnecessary and suspicious.
According to the statement, EFCC operatives stormed the property without presenting any official documentation. Bokoru alleged that officers neither showed a warrant nor followed standard procedures before branding the building with red paint and the inscription, “EFCC — Keep Off.”
He criticised the operation as “intrusive, intimidating and utterly devoid of due process,” adding that Sylva’s family members and staff—already restricted for weeks due to ongoing investigations—were traumatized by the latest development.
“This is the only shelter available to his children and relatives at this time. To invade it without notice or justification is to deliberately instill fear in innocent people,” Bokoru said, questioning how the family was expected to cope under continuous pressure.
Describing the EFCC’s actions as politically motivated, he argued that the incident had all the signs of local political hostility masquerading as federal action.
Bokoru distanced President Bola Tinubu from the development, stressing that the president’s long public record reflected respect for law and institutional discipline.
He warned that state agencies must resist being used as tools in political battles, saying such misuse undermines the nation’s democratic framework.
The media aide also drew attention to the prolonged detention of several individuals linked to Sylva—including domestic staff and security personnel—who he said had spent weeks in custody over allegations that remain unclear.
“These are regular Nigerians with families and livelihoods. They have become collateral in a political struggle that has stripped them of certainty and freedom,” he added.
Despite the escalating tension, Bokoru expressed optimism that justice would prevail.
“Nigeria has endured darker days and emerged stronger. We believe the truth will outlive intimidation and that fairness will ultimately triumph,” he said.
