Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and one-time Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has alleged that his recent declaration as a wanted person by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is part of a “relentless theatre of persecution” orchestrated by political adversaries determined to destroy his reputation.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, Sylva described the EFCC’s action as “politically motivated and procedurally improper,” accusing the anti-graft agency of breaching due process by failing to notify him before going public with its declaration.
“His recent travails bear an uncanny resemblance to the trials of Job in Holy Scripture, each ordeal arriving with near-mathematical precision,” Bokoru said.
“These are deliberate machinations of those who dread Sylva’s enduring political relevance. No formal communication was extended to him, only a sudden digital proclamation designed to inflame public sentiment.”
Sylva maintained his innocence, insisting that he had not diverted any public funds and that the refinery project under investigation — the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited — was transparent, legitimate, and properly documented.
“Chief Timipre Sylva has clean hands. He has not diverted a single dollar, nor has he betrayed the trust reposed in him by the Nigerian people,” the statement read.
The EFCC had on Monday, November 10, 2025, declared Sylva wanted over alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257, said to be part of funds invested by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited to build a refinery.
A warrant of arrest was subsequently issued by Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, authorising security agencies to apprehend Sylva and present him before the Commission.
