Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has announced that a Federal High Court in Lagos has issued a warrant for the arrest of former Petroleum Minister Timipre Sylva over allegations of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14.86 million.
The funds were reportedly part of an investment made by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Ltd for a refinery project. The EFCC has urged members of the public with information on Sylva’s whereabouts to contact its offices or report to the nearest Police station.
The court, presided over by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, granted the EFCC authority to detain Sylva for questioning, directing law enforcement agencies to assist in bringing him before the commission. Sylva, who served as Petroleum Minister from 2019 to 2023 under late President Muhammadu Buhari and previously as Governor of Bayelsa State, could not be reached for comment. The case underscores Nigeria’s ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability in its oil and gas sector.