The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has called on former Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, to make himself available for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud case.
The commission’s position was made public on Monday through its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, who said Sylva had already been declared wanted and should report to the agency.
“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said.
The development comes shortly after Sylva announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the ruling party of abandoning the principles on which it was founded.
Sylva Accuses EFCC of Political Motive
In his resignation letter, Sylva said he had copied the EFCC because of what he described as the commission’s increasingly political conduct.
The former governor alleged that the anti-graft agency was behaving more like an arm of the APC than an independent institution of the Nigerian state.
Sylva said he was aware that his decision to leave the ruling party could lead to increased scrutiny of him and his associates, but insisted that he was prepared to accept the consequences.
He also criticised the APC-led Federal Government, arguing that the administration had failed to meet the expectations of Nigerians.
According to Sylva, the principles that originally brought the APC together had been seriously weakened under the present leadership.
Former Governor Says He Is Ready to Move On
Sylva explained that his decision to leave the party followed consultations with members of his family, associates, colleagues and supporters.
He described the APC as a “floundering ship” and expressed the belief that Nigerians would use the next general election to change the political direction of the country.
His resignation adds a political dimension to the EFCC development, coming at a time when opposition forces and politicians across the country are positioning themselves ahead of the 2027 elections.
EFCC Maintains Its Position
For now, the EFCC has made clear that it wants Sylva to appear before the commission.
The agency’s request follows its declaration that the former governor is wanted in connection with the alleged $14.86 million fraud.
Sylva, meanwhile, has raised questions about the commission’s motives and accused it of political bias.
The allegations from both sides are likely to keep the matter in the spotlight as the former governor’s political future and the EFCC investigation develop.
