Former minister of state for petroleum resources, Timipre Sylva has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to agree on a new date for him to appear before investigators over corruption allegations.
In a letter dated 24 November and acknowledged by the EFCC on 26 November, Sylva faulted the commission’s move to declare him wanted in connection with an alleged $14.8 million fraud.
The former Bayelsa governor said he is currently receiving ‘urgent medical care for a life-threatening condition, and is consulting with his doctors on whether he can suspend treatment to honour the EFCC invitation.
‘In view of the foregoing, I most humbly request that a mutually agreed date be set, subject to medical clearance, to enable me appear physically and formally’, he wrote.
‘I trust that the objective of your invitation is not to unalive, but to genuinely investigate an alleged crime… For only the living may appropriately, fully and responsibly respond to any allegation, which I firmly and respectfully deny’.
Sylva said the events of recent weeks had placed his family, associates, and close aides under ‘extraordinary and bewildering’ pressure.
He recounted an escalation from an ‘unverified accusation’, linking him to an alleged plot against President Bola Tinubu, to a ‘dramatic military operation’ at his private residence, during which some of his staff were arrested and ‘remain in detention’.
‘While still grappling with the emotional and psychological strain of those events, I was on Monday, 10 November 2025, publicly declared wanted by your esteemed agency in relation to an alleged $24.8 million fraud matter’, he said.
Sylva noted that he had honoured an EFCC invitation in December 2024 over the same allegations, was granted self-recognition bail after providing explanations, and was told he would be contacted again if further clarification was needed.
‘To the best of my knowledge and belief, no further invitation or correspondence was issued to me thereafter’, he added.
The former minister said he was deeply surprised and profoundly unsettled to learn from public announcements that he had been declared wanted, insisting he has ‘never declined or evaded’ any law enforcement invitation.
He also debunked claims that he jumped bail.
‘For the sake of clarity, propriety and historical records, I must respectfully state that no such incident occurred nor was any such bail condition in existence or ever violated by me’, he wrote.
‘As these developments continue to unfold, it is difficult to dismiss the impression that matters may be proceeding in a manner capable of causing public misinterpretation.
‘For example, these frenzied and almost desperate actions may be viewed as a political witch-hunt by many. Also, considering that I have appeared to be a target since the beginning of this administration’.
