Former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, may be arraigned in absentia over alleged financial crimes as security agencies intensify efforts to apprehend him months after he left Nigeria.
Sylva has remained outside the country since operatives of the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) raided his Abuja residence in October 2025 in connection with investigations into an alleged coup plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
The former governor is also wanted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged conspiracy and conversion of $14,859,257, said to be part of funds provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) to Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for refinery construction.
Security sources confirmed to Sunday PUNCH that the EFCC, Department of State Services (DSS) and Interpol are collaborating to track Sylva’s whereabouts.
An EFCC operative, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that although investigations are ongoing, the commission is legally empowered to arraign the former governor even in his absence.
It is possible under the law, though no final decision has been taken. Once investigations are concluded, he will be charged, the source said.
Another security official urged Sylva to submit himself for investigation, warning that international law enforcement partners had been alerted.
He cannot hide forever. If he is innocent, the right thing is to turn himself in, the official said.
Sylva’s residence was raided on October 25, 2025, following the arrest of 16 military officers accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
Though the Defence Headquarters initially denied the existence of a coup plot, it later confirmed that investigations had uncovered credible evidence against some officers, who are to face trial under the Armed Forces Act.
Sylva’s younger brother, Paga, and his driver were arrested during the raid, though Sylva himself was reportedly out of the country at the time.
His media aide, Julius Bokoru, has denied any link between Sylva and the alleged coup plot, describing the reports as politically motivated. He also said the former governor was in the United Kingdom for medical reasons and would honour the EFCC’s invitation upon his return.
However, more than three months after being declared wanted on November 10, 2025, Sylva has yet to return to Nigeria.
