By Seyi Odewale
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, to surrender himself for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud.
The commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, issued the call on Monday while responding to Sylva’s claim that the EFCC had become politically aligned with the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Oyewale said the former governor, who had earlier been declared wanted by the anti-graft agency, should make himself available to investigators.
“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said.
Sylva had on Monday resigned his membership of the APC, accusing the ruling party of abandoning its founding principles and criticising the administration of President Bola Tinubu over what he described as its failure to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
In his resignation letter, which he copied to the EFCC, the former governor alleged that the anti-graft agency was increasingly operating like an institution of the APC rather than an independent agency of the Nigerian state.
Sylva also said he was aware that quitting the ruling party could trigger further investigations against him and some of his associates but maintained that he was prepared to take the risk.
The EFCC declared the former governor wanted in November 2025 in connection with an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14,859,257.
Beyond the fraud allegations, Sylva has also been named in a separate federal case involving a 13-count charge bordering on allegations of conspiracy, treason, terrorism-related offences and money laundering.
He has consistently denied involvement in an alleged plot against the Tinubu administration, while the criminal allegations remain before the courts.
Sylva has not been convicted of any of the offences.
In May 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim forfeiture order covering nine properties linked to the former governor following an application by the EFCC.
Sylva served as Governor of Bayelsa State between 2007 and 2012 before he was appointed Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The exchange with the EFCC adds another layer to the political and legal challenges confronting the former governor following his decision to quit the ruling APC.
