The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has escalated its investigation into Timipre Sylva, former Governor of Bayelsa State and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum, by placing him on the watchlists of major international law enforcement agencies. These include the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), INTERPOL, and the United Kingdom’s National Crime Agency (NCA) Daily Trust.
The move follows allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of public funds amounting to $14.8 million, which the EFCC claims were misappropriated during Sylva’s tenure in public office. The agency declared Sylva wanted on November 10, 2025, and immediately notified global partners to assist in tracking and apprehending him Daily Trust.
This development comes shortly after Sylva’s defeat in the Bayelsa governorship election, where he ran under the All Progressives Congress (APC). The APC has since alleged that the EFCC is acting under political pressure from the re-elected governor, Douye Diri, of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Premium Times.
The EFCC’s decision to involve international agencies signals the seriousness of the probe and the possibility that Sylva may have fled Nigeria or is attempting to evade arrest. The agency has not disclosed his current whereabouts, but sources suggest that surveillance and intelligence efforts are underway.
Meanwhile, civil society groups such as the Center for Human Rights and Sociologist-Economic Justice have also petitioned the EFCC to intensify its investigation into Sylva’s alleged misconduct during his time as petroleum minister The Guardian Nigeria News.
This case adds to the growing list of high-profile corruption investigations in Nigeria, raising questions about political accountability, judicial independence, and the role of international cooperation in tackling financial crimes.
