The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, wanted for alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257.

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

“The public is hereby notified that Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and former Governor of Bayelsa State, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14,859,257 — part of funds injected by the NCDMB into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery,” the statement read.

According to the EFCC, the notice follows a warrant issued on November 6, 2025, by Justice D.I. Dipeolu of the Federal High Court, Lagos, authorizing law enforcement officers to arrest Sylva.

The court order directed that Sylva be brought before the EFCC “to answer to the criminal offences he is alleged to have committed.”

The commission urged members of the public with useful information on Sylva’s whereabouts to contact any of its offices nationwide or reach out via 08093322644 and info@efcc.gov.ng.