EFCC declares Timipre Slyva wanted

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

According to a circular released on Monday, November 10, 2025, and signed by Dele Oyewale, Head of Media & Publicity for the EFCC, Sylva is wanted in connection with alleged financial misconduct and corruption-related offences.

The EFCC stated that the 61-year-old, who hails from Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, is accused of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.

The funds were reportedly part of a sum injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.

The notice follows a November 6, 2025 warrant issued by the Lagos State High Court.

Timipre Sylva is a notable figure in Nigerian politics. He served as the Governor of Bayelsa State from 27 May 2008 to 27 January 2012, before later being appointed Minister of State for Petroleum Resources on 21 August 2019 under President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

His sudden appearance on the EFCC’s “wanted” list marks a dramatic turn in his career and raises questions about accountability at the highest levels of government.