EFCC Summons Sylva Over Alleged $14.86m Refinery Fund Fraud

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked former Bayelsa State Governor Timipre Sylva to appear before the agency for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud involving funds allocated to a refinery project.

EFCC spokesman, Dele Oyewale, confirmed the directive on Monday, saying Sylva, who was declared wanted by the commission in November 2025, should make himself available to investigators.

The commission had accused Sylva of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14.859 million, part of funds injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.

The latest development came shortly after Sylva announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), citing what he described as the abandonment of the party’s founding ideals and failures by the administration of President Bola Tinubu.

Sylva also copied the EFCC on his resignation letter and accused the commission of increasingly acting as an instrument of the ruling party.

Responding to the allegation, Oyewale said the commission’s position was straightforward.

“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” he said.

The timing of the EFCC’s renewed call has prompted political speculation, with some observers linking it to Sylva’s sudden departure from the APC. The commission, however, maintains that its demand is connected to an existing investigation and his previous status as a wanted person.

Sylva has denied wrongdoing in the matter and has yet to publicly respond to the latest summons.

The EFCC obtained a warrant for his arrest from the Federal High Court in Lagos in November 2025 after declaring him wanted over the alleged refinery fund diversion.