By Daniel Ojukwu
Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has denied allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) that he diverted 21 billion naira meant for an oil refinery project. Sylva’s media aide, Julius Bokoru, described the arrest warrant and “wanted notice” issued by the anti-graft agency as politically driven.
The EFCC announced on Thursday, November 6, 2025, that a High Court in Lagos had issued a warrant for Sylva’s arrest over suspected misappropriation of public funds. The agency alleged that the former minister and others used the refinery project as a cover to siphon money between 2019 and 2021. The commission also released a public notice on its social media platforms asking for information about his whereabouts.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Bokoru said his principal was currently in the United Kingdom for a medical check-up and would make himself available to the EFCC upon his return. He dismissed the corruption allegations, insisting the refinery project was “fully documented, transparent, and verifiable.”
“The refinery project in question is legitimate and properly accounted for. All transactions were done through traceable documentation,” Bokoru stated, adding that Sylva had not received any formal invitation from the EFCC before the warrant was made public.
He accused the commission of attempting to tarnish Sylva’s image, saying the social media declaration was intended to stir public anger. “The EFCC could have simply reached out if it genuinely sought his cooperation. Declaring him wanted online shows there’s more to this than investigation,” he added.
Sources within the EFCC said the move followed an ongoing probe into the refinery contract, which investigators claim was inflated. The agency maintains that the warrant was lawfully obtained and forms part of a broader anti-corruption effort in the oil and gas sector.
Timipre Sylva, a former governor of Bayelsa State, served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources from 2019 to 2023 under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari. He has not publicly commented on the case but is expected to issue a personal statement in the coming days.
The controversy has sparked political reactions across Bayelsa and Abuja, with some supporters alleging persecution ahead of the next election cycle. Others say the case could test the EFCC’s independence and the federal government’s resolve to tackle corruption within the oil industry.