Inside Sylva’s letter to EFCC: What forced him to break his silence

By Kazeem Ugbodaga

Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fix a new date for him to appear before investigators over an alleged $14.8 million fraud, insisting he is not evading the agency.

In a letter dated 24 November and acknowledged by the EFCC on 26 November, Sylva expressed concern that the Commission was preparing to declare him wanted, saying such a step was unnecessary because he had no intention of avoiding the probe.

He explained that he is currently receiving urgent medical treatment for what he described as a life-threatening condition, and is awaiting clearance from his doctors to determine when he could safely appear before the agency.

“I most humbly request that a mutually agreed date be set, subject to medical clearance, to enable me appear physically. I trust the objective of your invitation is not to harm me but to investigate an alleged crime, which I firmly deny,” he wrote.

Sylva also referenced what he called “distressing” recent events, including an armed operation at his Abuja residence during which several of his aides-drivers, security personnel and domestic staff, were reportedly arrested and remain in custody.

He said he was shocked when the EFCC publicly declared him a wanted person on 10 November, noting that he had previously honoured an invitation in December 2024, was granted administrative bail on self-recognition, and was never contacted for further questioning.

“I have never declined or evaded any lawful invitation. The claim that I jumped bail is incorrect. No such bail condition existed or was violated by me,” he added.

The former minister warned that the EFCC’s handling of the matter could fuel perceptions of political persecution, saying the sequence of events may be interpreted as a “witch-hunt”.

“The recent actions may be misinterpreted as a political witch-hunt by many, especially considering that I appear to have been a target since the beginning of this administration,” he stated.