Timipre Sylva, a former minister of state for petroleum resources, has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requesting a fresh appearance date regarding a purported $14.8 million fraud.
Sylva said that the proposal to proclaim him wanted was “unnecessary and too early” in the letter dated November 24 and received by the EFCC on November 26.
He clarified that he is receiving immediate medical care for a potentially fatal illness.
In order to determine when it will be safe to stop treatment and reply to the EFCC, the former governor of Bayelsa State stated that he is in communication with his physicians.
In light of the aforementioned, Sylva wrote: “I humbly ask that a mutually agreed date be set, subject to medical clearance, so that I may physically appear.”
“I hope that the purpose of your invitation is to legitimately look into an alleged crime rather than to hurt me, in which case my request will be appropriate.
“I vehemently deny any allegation, and only the living can fully and responsibly respond to it.”
Additionally, Sylva reminded the EFCC that he had responded to an earlier invitation in December 2024, given thorough justifications, and been granted administrative bail on self-recognition, with the understanding that he would only be approached again if more information was required.
After a Federal High Court in Lagos issued a warrant on November 6, 2025, the EFCC declared Sylva wanted on November 10, 2025.
