EFCC Declares Timipre Sylva Wanted Over Alleged $14.8 Million Fraud



EFCC Declares Timipre Sylva Wanted Over Alleged $14.8 Million Fraud
By Niger Delta Voice Reporters, Bayelsa Correspondent.

10th Nov. 2025

When the cock crows at dawn, secrets long buried begin to stir — and so it is for former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, whom the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared wanted over an alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.

According to a public notice released on Monday by EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale, the funds in question were meant for the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for refinery construction — but like water poured into a basket, they vanished without a trace.

The statement reads in part:

“The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, is wanted in connection with a case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257 — part of funds injected by the NCDMB into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.

Sylva, 61, hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. This declaration follows a warrant issued by the Federal High Court, Lagos, on November 6, 2025.”

Like the proverbial tortoise whose tricks finally caught up with him, the long arm of the law appears to be stretching toward Sylva. The EFCC has called on Nigerians to assist in fishing him out, urging anyone with useful information about his whereabouts to contact any of its zonal offices — from Ibadan to Port Harcourt, Lagos to Abuja — or reach the agency through 08093322644 or info@efcc.gov.ng.

The anti-graft agency confirmed it obtained a Federal High Court warrant on November 6, 2025, empowering it to arrest the former minister.

In the words of an old Bayelsa saying, “When the canoe leaks, even the chief paddler must bail water.” As the EFCC beats its drum of justice louder, time will tell whether Sylva will dance to the tune or continue to run from the shadow that grows longer with each passing day.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

ONDO GOVT MULLS PAYMENT OF 13TH-MONTH SALARY

Image
ONDO GOVT MULLS PAYMENT OF 13TH-MONTH SALARY By NigerDelta Voice Reporters, Ondo State Correspondent  5th December, 2025 The Ondo State Government is considering the payment of a 13th-month salary to civil servants as part of efforts to boost workers’ welfare and motivate the state’s workforce ahead of the new year. According to government insiders, discussions are ongoing within the executive arm to determine the financial implications and sustainability of the proposed bonus. Although no final decision has been taken, key officials say Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa is “keen on exploring every viable option” to appreciate workers for their dedication throughout the year. A senior government source hinted that the initiative, if approved, would form part of broader measures aimed at improving labour relations, enhancing productivity, and strengthening workers’ morale across ministries, departments and agencies. The proposed 13th-month payment has already sparked optim...
Read more

One Feared Dead, Another Injured in Ghastly Accident in Agadagba-Obon

Image
One Feared Dead, Another Injured in Ghastly Accident in Agadagba-Obon By NigerDelta Voice Reporters, Ondo State Correspondent. 24th November, 2025 A tragic motor accident occurred earlier today in Agadagba-Obon, leaving one person dead and another severely injured. The deceased, identified simply as Help , reportedly lost his life after the vehicle involved in the incident somersaulted multiple times. Another occupant, identified as Philip Ojuri , sustained injuries and was rushed to a nearby medical facility for urgent treatment. Eyewitnesses said the accident happened suddenly, throwing the victims from the vehicle as it overturned. The cause of the crash is yet to be officially confirmed, but community members have called for caution on the increasingly dangerous route. Local authorities are expected to begin investigations into the incident.
Read more

𝗔𝗞𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗚𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦'𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗝𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗗.

Image
𝗔𝗞𝗨𝗥𝗘 𝗕𝗢𝗜𝗟𝗦 𝗔𝗦 𝗔𝗥𝗠𝗘𝗗 𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗚𝗦 𝗦𝗧𝗢𝗥𝗠 𝗔𝗣𝗖 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗞𝗘𝗛𝗢𝗟𝗗𝗘𝗥𝗦'𝗦 𝗠𝗘𝗘𝗧𝗜𝗡𝗚, 𝗠𝗔𝗡𝗬 𝗙𝗘𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗗 𝗜𝗡𝗝𝗨𝗥𝗘𝗗. 𝗕𝗬 𝗡𝗜𝗚𝗘𝗥𝗗𝗘𝗟𝗧𝗔 𝗩𝗢𝗜𝗖𝗘, 17𝘁𝗵, 𝗙𝗲𝗯. 2026. Tension erupted in Akure, the Ondo State capital, on Tuesday as suspected armed thugs reportedly invaded a stakeholders’ meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC), throwing the venue into chaos and forcing an abrupt end to the gathering. The shocking incident occurred at the party’s secretariat where top party members and officials had converged for the meeting, before the sudden invasion by unidentified individuals triggered wild panic among attendees. Eyewitnesses said the suspected attackers stormed into the venue wielding dangerous weapons, sending party leaders and participants scrambling for safety as they fled in different directions to avoid being attacked. According to sources within the party, the incident exposed what they described as a serious sec...
Read more