By John Umeh
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Timipre Sylva, wanted for alleged involvement in a $14.8 million corruption scandal linked to funds meant for the construction of a modular refinery.
In a public notice released on Monday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale announced that the commission is seeking Sylva’s arrest over allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of funds belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
According to the statement, the funds were invested by the NCDMB in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, a private company allegedly floated to develop a refinery project in Bayelsa State. The EFCC alleges that the project never took off, and the funds were diverted for personal use.
“The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, is wanted by the EFCC in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257 — part of funds injected by NCDMB into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery,” the notice read.
The commission further revealed that a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos issued a warrant of arrest for Sylva on November 6, 2025, signed by Justice D.I. Dipeolu.
“An order is hereby made issuing a warrant to the applicant or any law enforcement officer for the arrest of the respondent for the purpose of bringing him before the commission to answer to the criminal offence he is alleged to have committed,” the court order stated.
The EFCC urged members of the public with information on Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its zonal offices nationwide or report to the nearest police station.
Background of the Case
This development follows a House of Representatives resolution passed less than a month ago, mandating an investigation into the alleged mismanagement of a $35 million NCDMB investment in the same Atlantic Refinery project.
According to Hon. Billy Osawaru, who sponsored the motion, the refinery — despite receiving huge federal funding — was never constructed, and no tangible progress has been recorded five years after the funds were released.
The House subsequently directed its Committees on Midstream, Downstream, and Legislative Compliance to conduct a probe and submit their findings within four weeks.
Earlier reports revealed that several stakeholders had in May 2024 petitioned the EFCC to investigate the matter, but no public update had been issued by the commission until now.
Other Allegations
This is not the first time Sylva’s name has been linked to controversy in recent months. In late October, military personnel reportedly raided his Abuja residence over allegations of involvement in an attempted coup. During the operation, his younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, and his driver were arrested.
Sylva’s spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, however, described the incident as a “shocking violation” of the former minister’s rights, insisting that his principal had no connection whatsoever with any coup plot and that he was outside the country when the raid occurred.
“The military’s actions caused significant damage to the property and psychological distress to our staff,” Bokoru said in a statement, condemning what he called “a politically motivated smear campaign.”
Political Fallout
Sylva, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former Governor of Bayelsa State, has long been a key figure in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. His current legal troubles could have significant political implications, especially given his rumoured plans to reassert influence in Bayelsa’s 2027 governorship race.
The EFCC, meanwhile, says it remains determined to bring him to justice and recover the missing public funds.
