EFCC Summons Ex-Gov Sylva Over Alleged $14.86m Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has asked former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, to make himself available for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud case.

The development came after Sylva announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress and accused the anti-graft agency of becoming politically aligned with the ruling party.

EFCC spokesman Dele Oyewale said Sylva had been declared wanted and should therefore make himself available to the commission.

Sylva, who also served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, announced his resignation from the APC on Monday, August 31, 2026. In his resignation letter, he criticised the party’s leadership and accused the administration of President Bola Tinubu of failing to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

The former governor said he had copied the EFCC in his resignation letter because he believed the commission had recently conducted itself more as an organ of the APC than as an institution of the state.

He also expressed concern that his decision to leave the ruling party could trigger further investigations against him and his associates.

The EFCC declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 over an alleged case involving conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.

The allegations relate to funds reportedly invested by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board in a refinery project.

Sylva has denied involvement in wrongdoing, and the allegations against him remain subject to legal proceedings.

The former governor has also been linked to a separate investigation concerning an alleged plot against the Federal Government. He has denied involvement in that matter as well.

Investigators have reportedly alleged that funds running into hundreds of millions of naira were channelled through companies associated with the former governor in connection with the suspected plot.

The development comes as Sylva’s political future remains uncertain following his resignation from the APC.

In his resignation letter, he said the party had abandoned the principles upon which it was founded and expressed confidence that Nigerians would use the next election to change the country’s political direction.

Sylva served as Bayelsa State governor from 2007 to 2012 before later becoming Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari.

The EFCC’s latest demand means Sylva is expected to respond to the commission’s invitation as investigations into the alleged financial offences continue.

The development also places renewed attention on the former governor’s legal and political battles as Nigeria approaches the 2027 general elections.

While the EFCC maintains its allegations, Sylva remains presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty by a court of law.