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$14.8 Million Fraud: Timipre Sylva Failed To Keep A Date With His Bail Conditions – EFCC

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10 months ago

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The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has dismissed claims that the declaration of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, as wanted was politically motivated.

It was reports that the anti-graft agency declared Sylva wanted for an alleged $14.8 million fraud.

According to the Commission, he had allegedly siphoned $14,859,257 provided by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board for the suspended Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical project.

Sylva also recently made headlines when soldiers raided his Abuja residence on October 25 over alleged links to an attempted coup.

His younger brother, Paga, who serves as his Special Assistant on Domestic Affairs, and his driver were also arrested during the operation.

Speaking to Punch, the spokesperson for EFCC, Dele Oyewale, stated that Sylva was declared wanted after he jumped bail.

He explained that the former governor of Bayelsa State had been under investigation for a long time and was on administrative bail.

But the Media and Public Affairs aide to Sylva, Julius Bokoru, countered the EFCC’s position, saying the former minister received no formal communication from the commission before he was declared wanted.

“No formal communication was extended to him, no established protocol was observed, only a sudden digital proclamation designed, it would seem, to inflame public sentiment and manufacture yet another episode of orchestrated hostility,” he said.

Bokoru also alleged political interference in the matter, claiming that accusations against Sylva had repeatedly shifted. He added that the former minister, who is currently in the United Kingdom for a medical check-up, intends to honour the EFCC’s invitation once he is cleared to return.

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“For clarity, I have not been in direct communication with Chief Sylva. However, from available information and prior official briefings, it is important to restate that Chief Sylva will, in line with his respect for lawful institutions and due process, honour the invitation of the EFCC once he concludes his ongoing medical check-up in the United Kingdom,” he added.

Reacting to reports that the former minister was not adequately invited before being declared wanted, the EFCC spokesperson maintained that Sylva was placed on administrative bail but failed to comply with its conditions.

He said, “We have invited him before; he came and was placed on administrative bail. But after he failed to keep a date with his bail conditions, he had to be declared wanted.

“We followed due process in doing that. It is not true that we did not contact him. It is not true that we did not follow procedure. If we did not follow procedure, how could we have put him on administrative bail? There is no political colouration except in the imagination of our detractors.”

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Public officers are stealing Nigeria’s money every minute – EFCC boss

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6 hours ago

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September 26, 2026

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The Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, says public officers steal funds every minute.

Olukoyede spoke in Abuja on Thursday at the 80th birthday celebration of former Attorney-General of the Federation, Kanu Agabi.

He stated that the anti-graft agency receives over 20,000 corruption petitions every year, describing the scale of the theft detailed in many cases as shocking.

“I receive over 20,000 petitions in a year in respect to public corruption, all terrible. What is going on? Like every minute, public officers take money, and if you go through some of our case files you will weep.

“The way people take national resources and Nigerians are victims of these fraudulent activities. And we must come together for once in our lifetime and say no to the activities of some of our leaders,” Olukoyede said.

The EFCC boss noted that some public officers assume office with less than ₦100,000 in their accounts, but within three years, the agency traces millions of dollars to them.

He added that some individuals acquire hundreds of houses while in office, warning that corruption is crippling the nation.

Olukoyede stressed that public officers must be held accountable for their time in office, emphasizing that transparency must remain the guiding standard in public service.

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VIDEO: Police identify officer in viral video saying Obi can never be President

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6 hours ago

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September 26, 2026

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The Lagos State Police Command has arrested an officer who appeared in a viral video making inappropriate remarks about Peter Obi and Igbo people while travelling on public transport.

The officer who has been identified as INSP. Osumah Frank, was filmed saying Obi or any Igbo person can never become President of Nigeria.

In a statement released today September 25, the command’s spokesperson, SP Abimbola said the command has commenced appropriate disciplinary action against the officer in line with established regulations of the Nigeria Police Force.

Abimbola stated that the statements made by the officer were made in his personal capacity and do not represent the position, views or official disposition of the Lagos State Police Command or the Nigeria Police Force.

She added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, has reiterated the position of the command that all its personnel are expected to maintain professionalism, civility, discipline and respect for members of the public at all times. She further reaffirmed that wearing the Police uniform comes with a responsibility to uphold the dignity and integrity of the Force, and that the Command will not condone any conduct capable of bringing the Force into disrepute or undermining public confidence in the Police.

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Court rejects suit seeking fresh police investigation into late singer Mohbad’s death

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6 hours ago

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September 26, 2026

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The Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a suit seeking to compel the Nigeria Police Force to conduct a fresh investigation into the death of Nigerian singer Ilerioluwa Aloba, popularly known as Mohbad.

Justice James Omotosho dismissed the case filed by the Registered Trustees of Break the Silence Foundation in a judgment delivered on Thursday, ruling that the foundation lacked the legal capacity to institute the suit.

The judge also described the application as speculative and lacking sufficient merit, noting that the foundation failed to produce the original police investigation report to support its claim that the earlier investigation was inadequate.

Justice Omotosho further cautioned lawyers handling ongoing cases against discussing matters before the court during media interviews or on social media, describing such conduct as professional misconduct.

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