The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva to present himself for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud case, days after he resigned from the All Progressives Congress (APC).
EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale made the call on Monday, September 1, 2026, while responding to Sylva’s criticism of the commission.
EFCC Declares Sylva Wanted
Oyewale said Sylva should make himself available to the commission after the former governor accused the EFCC of acting like “an organ of the APC” rather than an institution of the state.
“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said.
The EFCC had declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 following a Federal High Court warrant issued by Justice D.I. Dipeolu in Lagos.
Alleged $14.86m Refinery Fraud
The allegations involve the alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257 linked to an investment by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The funds were reportedly invested in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for a proposed modular refinery project that did not materialise.
The commission has previously said Sylva was being investigated over the transaction and had taken steps to place him on international watchlists.
Sylva Accuses APC of Abandoning Its Ideals
Sylva resigned from the APC on August 31, 2026, citing what he described as the party’s departure from its founding principles.
In his resignation letter, he also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu and accused the government of disappointing Nigerians.
Sylva copied EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede in the letter, acknowledging that doing so could attract further scrutiny from the commission but saying he was prepared to take the risk.
Former Governor Denies Allegations
Sylva has denied the fraud allegations against him. After the EFCC declared him wanted in November 2025, he reportedly wrote to the commission requesting an agreed date to appear, citing medical treatment abroad.
He has also maintained that he previously honoured an EFCC invitation in December 2024, was granted administrative bail and did not receive another formal summons before the wanted notice was issued.
Sylva, 61, served as Bayelsa governor from 2007 to 2012 and later became Minister of State for Petroleum Resources between 2019 and 2023.
Other Investigations Remain Ongoing
The former governor has also been linked by investigators to an alleged 2025 plot against the Tinubu administration, an allegation he denies.
Court proceedings have included interim forfeiture orders involving nine Abuja properties allegedly linked to him, while some associates have faced charges over claims that they concealed his whereabouts.
Sylva has not been convicted of the allegations, and the EFCC continues to seek his appearance as investigations and related legal proceedings remain ongoing.
