The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, to make himself available for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud.
EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, issued the directive on Monday while responding to Sylva’s allegation that the anti-graft agency had conducted itself more as an organ of the All Progressives Congress than an institution of the state.
“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said.
Sylva, who resigned from the APC on Monday, accused the party of abandoning its founding ideals and criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
In his resignation letter, addressed to the APC chairman in Ward 4, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Sylva said his decision followed consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and sympathisers.
He wrote, “As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the Party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.
“Moreover, I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to belong to a Party whose leaders believe that ‘all is fair in politics;’ and have consistently demonstrated that belief in practice.
“All cannot be fair in any endeavour of life. The demands of basic decency and morality forbid it. Unfortunately, this mentality appears to underpin virtually every action, and even inaction, of this administration.”
Criticising the Federal Government, he said, “The present Government, formed under the banner of the APC we once loved, has disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians. And I can see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of a revamp.”
Explaining his resignation, Sylva said, “I am therefore left with no other choice than to jettison a floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities. I have no doubt that, in the coming election, Nigerians will vote for Nigeria and free the Country from this stranglehold on our beautiful country.”
Sylva also explained why he copied the EFCC in his resignation letter, accusing the commission of acting politically.
“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 EFCC declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14,859,257.
The former governor is also listed as a defendant in a 13-count federal charge arising from an alleged plot against the administration of President Bola Tinubu.
Sylva has denied involvement in the alleged plot and has not been convicted of the allegations. In May 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim forfeiture order covering nine properties linked to him following an application by the EFCC.
