Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), requesting a fresh and mutually agreed date to honour its invitation over an alleged $14.8 million fraud. He also faulted the commission’s decision to declare him wanted.
Sylva, in a letter personally signed and addressed to EFCC Chairman, Ola Olukoyede, said he was surprised by the public notice declaring him wanted, insisting he had never shunned any lawful invitation from the commission.
He disclosed that he is currently receiving urgent medical treatment for what he described as a life-threatening condition.
The letter, dated November 24 and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26, stated that he was consulting with his medical team to determine whether he could temporarily suspend treatment to appear before investigators.
“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.
“ I trust that the objective of your invitation is not to harm but to genuinely investigate an alleged crime. For only the living can appropriately, fully and responsibly respond to any allegation, which I firmly and respectfully deny,” he wrote.
Sylva said recent developments had exposed him, his family and close associates to emotional and psychological distress.
He referenced what he called an “unverified accusation” linking him to a purported attempt to undermine President Bola Tinubu’s authority, which was followed by a raid on his Abuja residence by suspected military intelligence operatives.
During the operation, several individuals, including his younger brother and Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, Paga Sylva, as well as his driver, were arrested and remain in detention.
The former Bayelsa governor said the EFCC’s decision to name him wanted on November 10 was shocking, particularly because he had previously honoured an invitation in December 2024 on the same matter.
He said he was granted administrative bail on self-recognition and told he would be contacted if further clarification was required.
“To the best of my knowledge and belief, no further invitation or correspondence was issued to me thereafter. No such incident occurred, nor was any such bail condition ever violated,” he stated
Sylva warned that the sequence of actions taken against him could create the impression of a “political witch-hunt,” adding that he had appeared to be “a target since the beginning of this administration.”
The former minister, a prominent chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), has also been mentioned in rumours surrounding an aborted coup — allegations he strongly denies.
His Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Julius Bokoru, confirmed the raid on his residence but said unnamed political actors were peddling misinformation because they viewed Sylva as a threat to their ambitions.
Bokoru also criticised the EFCC for declaring him wanted without issuing any fresh invitation.
The EFCC has yet to respond publicly to Sylva’s latest letter.
