Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has accused unnamed political rivals of orchestrating a “relentless theatre of persecution” after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) declared him wanted.
According to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, Sylva described the EFCC’s action as politically motivated and procedurally flawed, claiming he was not notified before the public declaration.
“His recent challenges resemble the trials of Job, each allegation emerging with precise timing, only to be discredited and replaced by another,” Bokoru said.
“These are not coincidences but deliberate attempts to undermine Sylva’s political relevance and integrity. No formal communication was sent to him; no proper protocol was followed—only a sudden digital announcement aimed at inflaming public sentiment.”
Sylva maintains he has not misappropriated public funds and insists that the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited, the project under investigation, is legitimate and transparent.
“Chief Timipre Sylva has clean hands. He has not diverted any funds nor betrayed public trust,” the statement said.
“The refinery project is verifiable, transparent, and subject to due process. Those orchestrating this campaign of defamation will not succeed.”
The EFCC alleges that Sylva conspired to dishonestly convert $14,859,257, reportedly part of funds invested by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.
A warrant for his arrest was issued on November 6, 2025, by Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos.
The Commission urged the public to provide any information regarding Sylva’s whereabouts to its zonal offices, the police, or other security agencies.
Meanwhile, at the Federal High Court in Abuja, the EFCC’s fourth prosecution witness in a separate N80.2 billion fraud case involving former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello confirmed that withdrawals made by the state government did not violate banking regulations.
Under cross-examination, Zenith Bank compliance officer Mshelia Arhyel Bata stated that Sylva was not a beneficiary in any of the accounts presented as evidence.
Defence counsel Joseph Daudu (SAN) highlighted omissions in the prosecution’s focus on certain withdrawals, noting that some transactions by Umar Comfort Olufunke were not included in the case.
The witness also confirmed withdrawals by Alhassan Omakoji between November 2021 and December 2022 were within CBN transaction limits.
The court removed irrelevant documents from the record, and Justice Emeka Nwite adjourned proceedings to November 11 for the continuation of the trial.
