9News Nigeria

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, wanted over an alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.

In a public notice, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the funds were provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) for investment in Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited.

Senior EFCC officials confirmed to Punch that the former minister has been placed on the watchlists of global security agencies, including the United States Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Interpol, the United Kingdom Metropolitan Police, and security authorities in Canada and other countries.

A credible EFCC source familiar with the matter said the case had been ongoing for years.

“The case has been on for a long time. The former minister was visiting our office until he later stopped. So, now that we have declared him wanted, he has also been placed on the watchlists of the US FBI, Interpol, and other security agencies,” the source said.

According to Oyewale, the commission secured a Federal High Court arrest warrant on November 6, 2025.

Justice D. I. Dipeolu granted the order, directing security agencies to arrest Sylva and bring him before the EFCC to answer to the alleged criminal offences.

9News Nigeria

9News Nigeria

Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has reportedly been arrested by state security operatives over allegations of involvement in a coup plot against President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.

An anonymous source from the Presidency revealed to 9News Nigeria that Sylva, who was allegedly on the run, was captured following an intensive security operation.

However, 9News Nigeria has not independently verified the arrest, as efforts to obtain confirmation from relevant authorities have so far been unsuccessful.

This is a developing story, and 9News Nigeria will continue to provide updates as more information emerges.

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