EFCC declares ex-Gov Timipre Sylva wanted again over alleged $14.86m fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has again asked former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva to appear before the agency over an alleged $14.86 million fraud case.

EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale confirmed the development on Monday, saying the former governor had been declared wanted and should report to the commission.

“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said.

The latest summons followed comments by Sylva accusing the anti-graft agency of operating more like an arm of the All Progressives Congress (APC) than an independent government institution.

The EFCC had previously declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 over allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14,859,257.

The former governor has also been linked to a separate investigation involving an alleged plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Sylva, who previously served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, is listed as a defendant in a 13-count charge filed before a federal court. The case reportedly includes allegations of treason, terrorism-related offences, conspiracy and money laundering.

Court documents reportedly describe him as “still at large” in connection with the case.

Investigators have alleged that Sylva was a major financier of the reported plot. They also accused him of providing about N785 million through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based company.

Reports said Sylva left Nigeria after details of the alleged plot emerged. He later suspended plans to return after learning that security operatives had raided his Abuja residence and arrested some of his associates.

The latest EFCC action places renewed focus on the former governor as the commission continues its investigation into the financial allegations against him.