A political storm has erupted in Nigeria following the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announcement declaring former petroleum minister Timipre Sylva a wanted person. The anti-corruption agency accuses Sylva and several others of diverting approximately $15 million (₦24 billion) in public funds intended for the construction of an oil refinery.
The EFCC issued a “wanted notice” last week via its official social media platforms, urging anyone with information on Sylva’s whereabouts to contact the commission. The move, however, has drawn strong criticism from Sylva’s camp, which claims the action is politically motivated and unfairly sensationalized.
Sylva’s Response: ‘Politically Charged’
In a statement released through his spokesperson Julius Bokoru, Sylva dismissed the allegations and the “wanted” declaration, calling it a political smear campaign. Bokoru said the former minister is currently in the United Kingdom for a medical check-up and has not been contacted directly by the EFCC regarding any investigation.
“The refinery project in question is a legitimate, transparent, and verifiable undertaking with traceable documentation,” Bokoru stated. He questioned why the EFCC did not reach out to Sylva through formal channels before publicizing the notice online.
“Declaring him wanted on social media was unnecessary and appears designed to inflame public sentiment rather than follow due process,” he added.
The EFCC’s Allegations
According to the EFCC, its public notice was issued following a warrant of arrest granted by a Lagos High Court on Thursday, November 6, 2025. The commission alleges that the funds earmarked for the refinery project were diverted to private accounts under Sylva’s watch.
The anti-graft agency has pledged to pursue the case “to its logical conclusion,” insisting that no individual, regardless of position, will be shielded from accountability.
Sylva’s Political Background
Timipre Sylva, 61, served as Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources between 2019 and 2023 under the administration of the late President Muhammadu Buhari. During his tenure, he oversaw several key policy reforms in the oil and gas sector, including the implementation of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).
Before his ministerial role, Sylva was the Governor of Bayelsa State, one of Nigeria’s major oil-producing regions, from 2007 to 2012. His political career has long been intertwined with Nigeria’s petroleum industry, and he remains an influential figure within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Reactions and Implications
The EFCC’s public declaration has sparked widespread debate in Nigeria’s political and legal circles. Critics argue that the move reflects selective prosecution and media-driven justice, while others see it as part of the EFCC’s renewed push to tackle corruption in the oil sector.
Analysts note that the case could test the credibility of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts, particularly given the sensitivity surrounding oil-related investigations in the country.
While Sylva’s team insists he will cooperate with the authorities upon returning from the UK, the EFCC’s next steps could determine whether this case escalates into a broader political controversy or remains a straightforward corruption inquiry.
Looking Ahead
As of now, Sylva remains abroad, and no formal response has been issued by the Nigerian presidency or the Ministry of Justice. Legal experts expect the matter to intensify once the former minister returns to Nigeria.
The refinery project at the center of the controversy is reportedly part of a series of local modular refineries initiated to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, a key goal of the Buhari-era energy reforms.
Whether the allegations prove substantiated or not, the case underscores the ongoing tension between Nigeria’s anti-graft institutions and political elites, as well as the continuing struggle to bring greater transparency to the nation’s oil wealth.