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Sylva Writes EFCC, Requests New Date to Appear Over Alleged $14.8m Case
Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission seeking an agreed date to honour its invitation over an alleged $14.8 million fraud case. In a letter personally signed and addressed to EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, Sylva rejected the commission’s move to declare him wanted, insisting he had never ignored any lawful summon.
The letter, dated November 24 and acknowledged by the EFCC two days later, stated that he is currently undergoing urgent medical treatment for what he described as a life-threatening condition. Sylva said he was consulting his doctors to determine whether he could temporarily suspend treatment to attend the interview.
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He appealed for a date that would allow him appear physically and defend himself, noting that he fully denies the allegations. He recalled recent events that placed him and his family under intense pressure, beginning with claims alleging his involvement in a supposed effort to undermine the authority of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. The matter escalated into a military raid on his Abuja residence, during which his personal staff were arrested and remain in custody.
Sylva said it was shocking to learn through a public announcement that he had been declared wanted, even though he previously honoured an EFCC invitation in December 2024 regarding the same issue and was granted administrative bail on self-recognition. He insisted he never violated any bail terms and was never invited again before the declaration.
He suggested that recent actions against him may create the impression of political targeting, claiming he has appeared to be a subject of suspicion since the start of the current administration. Sylva has in recent weeks been linked to a rumoured coup plot, an allegation his media team has dismissed as fabricated mischief by political rivals.
His home was raided by operatives believed to be from military intelligence, and his younger brother as well as his driver were reportedly arrested. His media aide, Julius Bokoru, confirmed the raid but denied that Sylva had any connection to a coup plot and criticised the decision to declare him wanted without prior communication.
