Timipre Sylva Denies EFCC Allegations, Vows to Honour Invitation After Being Declared Wanted

Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has accused the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) of failing to follow due process before declaring him wanted.

In a statement released on Monday by his media aide, Julius Bokoru, Sylva claimed the EFCC did not reach out to him through any formal channel or observe standard procedure before publicizing his name and photograph on social media. Bokoru described the commission’s action as “a sudden digital proclamation” aimed at stirring public emotion and creating unnecessary hostility.

He alleged that the current development was politically motivated, calling it part of an ongoing attempt by unnamed forces to damage Sylva’s reputation. According to him, what was initially described as a coup-related matter had now “metamorphosed into a financial allegation,” which he found suspicious. Bokoru likened Sylva’s situation to the biblical story of Job, saying every accusation emerged with “near-mathematical precision” once the previous one was disproved.

Bokoru further stated that although he had not spoken directly with Sylva, the former minister intends to honour the EFCC’s invitation once he completes his medical treatment in the United Kingdom. He maintained that Sylva “has clean hands” and had not diverted any public funds, describing the refinery project in question as a legitimate and verifiable venture conducted with due process.

He insisted that those attempting to smear Sylva’s name would fail, adding that the truth would eventually prevail.