Alleged $14.86m fraud: “Appear for questioning first,” EFCC reacts to wanted ex-Bayelsa gov’s resignation from APC

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has asked former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, to present himself for questioning over an alleged $14.86m fraud case for which he was declared wanted.

The EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, made this known on Monday while responding to Sylva’s allegation that the anti-graft agency had increasingly operated as an arm of the All Progressives Congress rather than as a state institution.

“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said when asked to respond to the allegation.

Sylva announced his resignation from the APC on Monday and disclosed that he had sent a copy of his resignation letter to the EFCC. He accused the commission of functioning as an organ of the ruling party.

The former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources also criticised the APC for abandoning what he described as its founding principles, while accusing the Bola Tinubu administration of disappointing Nigerians.

His resignation letter, addressed to the APC chairman of Ward 4 in Brass Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, was sent electronically. Copies were also forwarded to the APC national chairman, the EFCC executive chairman and the APC chairman in Bayelsa State.

Sylva said he arrived at the decision after consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and supporters.

He said he could no longer remain in what he described as a “floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities.”

The former governor said he was unwilling to continue belonging to a party whose leaders, in his assessment, had adopted the belief that “all is fair in politics.”

In the resignation letter dated August 31, 2026, and obtained by our correspondents, Sylva said the principles upon which the APC was established had been “thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.”

He wrote, “As a founding member of the APC, and one who joined other well-meaning Nigerians in building the Party with sweat and money, it is deeply saddening to witness how the ideals we espoused have been so thoroughly and unrecognisably thwarted.

“Moreover, I cannot, in all good conscience, continue to belong to a Party whose leaders believe that ‘all is fair in politics;’ and have consistently demonstrated that belief in practice.

“All cannot be fair in any endeavour of life. The demands of basic decency and morality forbid it. Unfortunately, this mentality appears to underpin virtually every action, and even inaction, of this administration.”

Sylva also criticised the APC-led Federal Government, alleging that it had failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians.

“The present Government, formed under the banner of the APC we once loved, has disappointed the vast majority of Nigerians. And I can see neither a credible attempt nor any possibility of a revamp,” he stated.

He said his decision to leave the party was based on his belief that Nigerians would use the next election to alter the country’s political direction.

“I am therefore left with no other choice than to jettison a floundering ship whose fate appears to have been sealed by its irredeemable load of iniquities. I have no doubt that, in the coming election, Nigerians will vote for Nigeria and free the Country from this stranglehold on our beautiful country,” he said.

Explaining why he copied the EFCC on his resignation letter, Sylva accused the commission of becoming increasingly political and said he feared that leaving the APC could lead to further investigations involving him and his associates.

He wrote, “I am deliberately putting the EFCC in copy of this letter because, of late, it has conducted itself more as an organ of the APC than as an institution of State.

“I am fully aware that this action of mine may invite a redoubled witch-hunt against me and my associates, but that is a risk I am willing to take.”

The former governor reiterated his confidence that Nigerians would use the next general election to “vote for Nigeria” and end what he called the current “stranglehold” on the country.

The EFCC declared Sylva wanted in November 2025 over an alleged case of conspiracy and dishonest conversion involving $14,859,257.

His resignation from the APC also comes months after he was linked to an alleged plot against President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

Sylva is listed as a defendant and described as “still at large” in a 13-count federal charge involving allegations of treason, terrorism-related offences, conspiracy and money laundering connected to the alleged plot.

Several reports have indicated that Sylva left Nigeria after the investigation into the alleged plot became public. Sources familiar with the investigation also said he suspended plans to return after learning about a raid on his Abuja residence and the arrest of some of his associates.

Investigators have reportedly identified Sylva as an alleged principal financier of the plot, accusing him of providing about N785m through Purple Waves Limited, an Abuja-based company.

More than N5bn was reportedly gathered for the alleged operation, with investigators tracing approximately N785m through Purple Waves and a bureau de change operator before the funds were allegedly distributed.

Investigators also reportedly linked money paid into Purple Waves to proceeds from contracts awarded by the Niger Delta Development Commission and loans secured by the company.

Sylva has denied involvement in the alleged plot. The allegations remain before the courts, and he has not been convicted.

In July 2026, the Department of State Services arraigned five of his associates for allegedly concealing his whereabouts after he was declared wanted in connection with the alleged plot. They pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.

In May 2026, the Federal High Court in Abuja granted an interim forfeiture order covering nine properties linked to Sylva following an EFCC application.

Sylva served as Bayelsa State governor from 2007 to 2012, although his tenure was interrupted by court rulings. He later served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources under former President Muhammadu Buhari.