Former minister of state for petroleum Timipre Sylva has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) seeking a new date to honour its invitation over an alleged $14.8m fraud.
In a letter dated November 24 and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26, Mr Sylva told EFCC chairman, Ola Olukoyede, that he was receiving urgent medical care for a “life-threatening condition.”
He said he was consulting his medical team to determine if he could suspend treatment to appear before the commission.
Sylva said, “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 unalive, 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 faulted the move to declare him wanted, saying he had never ignored any lawful invitation.
He said he honoured an EFCC invitation in December 2024 on the same matter, was granted administrative bail on self-recognition and was told he would be contacted if needed.
According to him, “no further invitation or correspondence was issued” after that period.
Sylva said he was surprised to learn through a public announcement that he had been declared wanted.
He denied claims that he jumped bail, saying “no such incident occurred, nor was any such bail condition ever violated.”
The former minister said recent events had put him, his family and associates under pressure.
He referenced an “unverified accusation” linking him to an alleged plot to undermine the authority of President Bola Tinubu, which he said led to a military raid on his Abuja residence.
He said several persons, including his drivers, security aides and domestic staff, were arrested and remain in detention.
“While still grappling with the emotional and psychological strain of those events, I was on Monday, November 10, 2025, publicly declared wanted by your agency over an alleged $14.8m fraud,” he said.
Sylva said the actions taken against him may create “a public impression of political witch-hunt,” adding that he had appeared to be “a target since the beginning of this administration.”
His Abuja residence was raided by operatives believed to be from military intelligence.
During the raid, his younger brother, Paga, who serves as his special assistant on Domestic Affairs and his driver were arrested.
His special assistant on media and publicity, Julius Bokoru, confirmed the raid but denied Sylva’s involvement in any coup plot.
He accused unnamed politicians of orchestrating mischief because they view Timipre Sylva as a threat to their ambitions and criticised the EFCC for declaring him wanted, saying he was not invited before the announcement.
