Alleged $14.8m Fraud: Sylva Writes EFCC, Requests Date for Appearance

Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has formally requested the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to set a mutually agreed date for him to respond to allegations of a $14.8 million fraud. In a letter addressed to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede and dated November 24, Sylva challenged the commission’s declaration of him as wanted, stating that he has never evaded any lawful invitation. The EFCC acknowledged receipt of the letter on November 26.

Sylva explained that he is currently receiving urgent medical treatment for a life-threatening condition and is consulting his doctors to determine whether he can temporarily pause treatment to appear before the commission. He emphasized that his appearance should be scheduled subject to medical clearance and expressed confidence that the EFCC’s intention is to investigate the matter rather than cause him harm.

He also recounted a series of events that he said have placed him and his associates under pressure, including an unverified accusation linking him to a plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which resulted in a military raid on his Abuja residence and the arrest of several staff members. Sylva noted that he had previously appeared before the EFCC in December 2024, after which he was granted administrative bail and told he would be contacted if needed.

The former minister described the public announcement declaring him wanted as “deeply surprising and profoundly unsettling” and rejected claims that he had jumped bail, stating that no bail conditions were violated. He expressed concern that the recent actions against him could be perceived as a political witch-hunt and suggested that he has been a target since the start of the current administration.

Sylva, a senior member of the All Progressives Congress, has also been linked to a rumored aborted military coup. His Abuja home was raided by security operatives, and his younger brother and driver were reportedly arrested. His media aide, Julius Bokoru, confirmed the raid but denied Sylva’s involvement in any coup plot, accusing unnamed politicians of attempting to malign him due to his perceived political influence. Bokoru further criticized the EFCC for declaring Sylva wanted without issuing a prior invitation.