The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced today, November 10, that it is seeking the arrest of Timipre Sylva, the former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, over allegations of conspiracy and the dishonest conversion of approximately $14.86 million. This sum was reportedly allocated by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for the construction of Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.
The EFCC’s public notice highlighted that a warrant for Sylva’s arrest was issued by the Federal High Court in Lagos on November 6, 2025. The court order allows EFCC officers and law enforcement to apprehend him to answer the charges.
Sylva, who previously served as the governor of Bayelsa State, is currently wanted in connection with a larger investigation into the mismanagement of a $35 million investment in a modular refinery project that never came to fruition. This investigation was prompted by concerns raised in the House of Representatives regarding the non-existence of the refinery despite substantial federal funding.
Additionally, Sylva’s residence was recently raided by the military over alleged involvement in an attempted coup, although he was out of the country at the time. His Special Assistant confirmed the raid but denied any coup-related involvement.
