The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has firmly rejected allegations by former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, that the agency has become a political tool of the All Progressives Congress (APC), insisting instead that he must present himself for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud case.
The commission’s spokesman, Dele Oyewale, made the demand on Monday in direct response to Sylva’s resignation from the APC, in which the former governor accused the anti-graft agency of acting as an arm of the ruling party. “He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale stated categorically.
Sylva announced his resignation from the APC on Monday in a letter dated August 31 and addressed to the party chairman in Ward 4, Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State. In the letter, he deliberately copied the EFCC, explaining that the commission had, of late, “conducted itself more as an organ of the APC than as an institution of State.” He further accused the APC-led Federal Government of failing to meet Nigerians’ expectations, stating that he could no longer remain in a party whose leaders had, in his view, abandoned the founding principles of the APC.
Sylva’s resignation comes amid the EFCC’s sustained efforts to secure his appearance over the alleged financial offence. The commission had declared him wanted in November 2025 over allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14,859,257. According to the EFCC’s earlier notice, the money was part of funds provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery. Sylva has consistently denied any wrongdoing in the handling of the funds.
The EFCC has previously maintained that its investigation into Sylva is not politically motivated. In November 2025, Oyewale stated that the former governor had been under investigation for some time and was declared wanted after allegedly jumping administrative bail. The commission has now reiterated that Sylva must make himself available for questioning, while the former governor continues to insist the agency’s actions against him are politically driven.
This financial investigation is separate from another case in which Sylva has been linked to an alleged plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration. He is listed as a defendant in a 13-count federal charge involving alleged treason, terrorism-related offences, conspiracy and money laundering. Sylva has denied involvement in that case as well and has not been convicted of any charge.
In a related development, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim forfeiture order in May 2026 covering nine properties allegedly linked to Sylva, following an application by the EFCC. The court directed that the order be published to allow interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited.
Sylva has remained outside the country amid the multiple investigations. He left Nigeria after the investigation into the alleged plot became public and later suspended plans to return following a raid on his Abuja residence and the arrest of some of his associates. As the legal proceedings continue, the EFCC insists that the former governor must make himself available, while Sylva maintains that the allegations against him are part of a politically motivated campaign. All charges against him remain subject to investigation and judicial proceedings.