RismadarVoice Reporters, September 1, 2026
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, to report to the commission for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud case.
The EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, disclosed this on Monday while responding to allegations by Sylva that the anti-graft agency had become politically aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oyewale said Sylva, who was declared wanted by the commission, should make himself available to investigators.
“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” he said.
Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, resigned from the APC on Monday and sent copies of his resignation letter to several officials, including the EFCC chairman.
In the letter, addressed to the APC chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Sylva accused the EFCC of acting more like an organ of the ruling party than an independent state institution.
He also criticised the APC-led administration of President Bola Tinubu, alleging that the government had failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
Sylva accuses APC of abandoning founding ideals
Explaining his decision to leave the APC, Sylva said he had consulted his family, associates, colleagues and supporters before reaching the decision.
The former governor, who described himself as a founding member of the APC, said he was disappointed by what he regarded as the erosion of the principles upon which the party was established.
He said he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders allegedly operated on the principle that “all is fair in politics.”
Sylva further accused the Federal Government of failing to provide a credible path for reform and said he believed Nigerians would seek a political change in the 2027 general election.
He described the APC as a “floundering ship” and said he had chosen to leave rather than continue supporting what he considered a failed political direction.
The EFCC declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 in connection with an alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14,859,257.
The latest development followed his decision to copy the anti-graft agency in his APC resignation letter.
Sylva said he was aware that leaving the ruling party could lead to increased scrutiny from the EFCC but maintained that he was prepared to face the consequences.
He accused the commission of becoming increasingly politicised and alleged that his resignation could trigger what he described as a renewed “witch-hunt” against him and his associates.
The EFCC has not indicated that Sylva’s resignation from the APC influenced the investigation against him.
Sylva’s resignation also comes amid an ongoing investigation into an alleged plot against the administration of President Tinubu.
The former governor has been linked to a 13-count federal charge involving allegations including treason, terrorism-related offences, conspiracy and money laundering. He has been described as still at large in the proceedings.
Investigators have reportedly accused Sylva of being a major financier of the alleged plot and alleged that about N785 million was channelled through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based company.
Authorities have also reportedly linked some of the funds to contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission and loans secured by the company.
Sylva has consistently denied involvement in the alleged plot.
In July 2026, five associates of the former governor were arraigned by the Department of State Services over allegations that they concealed his whereabouts after he was declared wanted. They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
Earlier, in May 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim forfeiture order over nine properties allegedly linked to Sylva following an application by the EFCC.
The allegations against the former governor remain subject to judicial proceedings, and he has not been convicted of the offences.
Sylva served as Bayelsa State governor from 2007 to 2012 before later becoming Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
