ABUJA, Nigeria — Nigeria’s top anti-corruption agency has declared Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and one-time governor of Bayelsa State, wanted in connection with an alleged 14.8 million dollars fraud.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) issued a public notice on Monday stating that Mr. Sylva is being sought for “conspiracy and corrupt diversion of public funds.” The charges stem from a capital injection made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, a company linked to a proposed refinery project.
A warrant for Mr. Sylva’s arrest was issued by the Lagos State High Court on November 6. The EFCC urged anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to contact the agency or the nearest police station.
Mr. Sylva, 61, served as Minister of State for Petroleum under former President Muhammadu Buhari and was a prominent figure in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector. He has previously denied wrongdoing in other corruption-related investigations.
The EFCC’s move comes amid renewed scrutiny of former public officials and broader efforts to strengthen accountability in Nigeria’s oil industry, which has long been marred by allegations of mismanagement and graft.
As of Monday evening, Mr. Sylva had not responded publicly to the allegations, and it was unclear whether he had retained legal counsel.
Public Reaction
The announcement has sparked a wave of commentary across Nigeria’s political and civic landscape.
“No one is above the law,” said Chinedu Okeke, a civil society advocate based in Lagos. “If the allegations are true, Timipre Sylva must face justice like any other citizen. This is a test of Nigeria’s commitment to accountability.”
Others questioned the timing of the arrest warrant, suggesting political motivations. “Interesting how this comes just after the elections,” said Amina Yusuf, a political analyst. “Is this justice or score-settling? Either way, the EFCC must ensure transparency.”
In oil-producing Bayelsa State, where Mr. Sylva remains a polarizing figure, reactions were mixed. “The petroleum sector has long been a black hole for public funds,” said activist Timi George. “This case could be a turning point—if it’s pursued with integrity.”
On social media, the declaration drew both outrage and skepticism. “We’ve seen this movie before,” wrote one user on X (formerly Twitter). “Let’s hope it doesn’t end in silence and impunity.”
The EFCC has not commented further on the case beyond its public notice.
