The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has invited former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, who is wanted over an alleged $14.86m fraud, for questioning.
The commission’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, stated this on Monday in responseto Sylva’s allegation against the anti-graft agency of turning itself into an organ of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oyewale said “he (Sylva) has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission.”
In May 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim forfeiture order covering nine properties linked to Sylva following an application by the EFCC.
Sylva served as Bayelsa State governor from 2007 to 2012, with his tenure interrupted by court rulings. He later served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The commission in November last year declared Sylva wanted in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14,859,257.
The former Petroleum Minister on Monday Sylva, said he has his membership of the APC Monday, in a letter a copy of his resignation to the EFCC ,in which he said the commission was acting as an organ of the ruling party.
The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources also accused the APC of abandoning its founding ideals and said the Tinubu administration had disappointed Nigerians.
The resignation letter, addressed to the APC chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was delivered electronically. It was also copied to the national chairman of the APC, the executive chairman of the EFCC and the chairman of the APC in Bayelsa State.
Sylva said his decision to quit the party followed consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.
He wrote, “I am deliberately putting the EFCC in copy of this letter because, of late, it has conducted itself more as an organ of the APC than as an institution of State.
“I am fully aware that this action of mine may invite a redoubled witch-hunt against me and my associates, but that is a risk I am willing to take.”
The former governor expressed confidence that Nigerians would use the next general election to “vote for Nigeria” and free the country from what he described as the current “stranglehold” on the country.
