Anti-Graft Agency Launches Manhunt for Ex-Minister Sylva Over Alleged $14.8M Fund Conversion

By Naija Enquirer Staff

The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has been declared wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

EFCC said the former minister is wanted in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257 (Fourteen Million, Eight Hundred and Fifty-Nine Thousand, Two Hundred and Fifty-Seven United States Dollars), being 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.

The Commission, in a statement signed by its Head, Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, said on November 6, 2025, it secured a warrant for the arrest of the former Minister at a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos. The Order, granted by Justice D.I. Dipeolu stated that, “an order is made issuing a warrant to the Applicant or any Officer of the Commission, Police 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 EFCC further disclosed that it has intensified its efforts to locate the former Minister and enjoins anyone with useful information on his whereabouts to contact any of its Zonal Directorates across the country or the nearest Police Station and other security agencies.