Chief Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum
Former Bayelsa State Governor and immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has pushed back against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) decision to declare him wanted, insisting the agency’s action is both unfair and misleading.
In a letter dated November 24, 2025 — but acknowledged by the EFCC two days later — Sylva asked the commission to agree on a fresh date for him to appear.
The former governor explained that he is currently undergoing intensive treatment for what he described as a “life-threatening medical condition.”
According to him, his doctors are still assessing whether he is fit enough to travel or face any form of interrogation.
Despite this, he maintained he is prepared to cooperate fully with investigators once medically cleared.
“Only a living man can respond to allegations,” he noted, firmly rejecting the $14.8 million fraud accusation linked to him.
Sylva also revisited the tension of recent weeks, saying his family and associates were thrown into panic after what he called an orchestrated attempt to link him to a plot against presidential authority.
He condemned what he described as a “dramatic raid” on his residence, during which several domestic staff were detained.
The former minister stressed that he has never shunned the EFCC, recalling that he honoured an invitation in December 2024 and was granted administrative bail.
Assertions that he had jumped bail, he said, were simply untrue.
Expressing shock at being publicly labelled a fugitive, Sylva suggested the commission’s move could easily be interpreted as political.
He hinted at a pattern of harassment, arguing that he has been “targeted since the start of the current administration.”
Despite his health ordeal, Sylva maintained that he intends to defend his name — but only when his doctors confirm he is strong enough to do so.
