The EFCC announced that Sylva and several others are accused of diverting about $15 million of public funds that had been allocated for the construction of an oil refinery. The agency circulated a notice on social media requesting information on his whereabouts.
In response, Sylva’s spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, said the former minister is currently in the United Kingdom for a medical check-up and plans to engage with the EFCC on his return. He insisted that the refinery project was lawful and supported by official records.
“The refinery project in question is a legitimate, transparent, and verifiable undertaking,” Bokoru said, adding that the decision to publicise the notice online appeared calculated to provoke public outrage rather than follow normal procedure.
He also questioned why the agency had not first attempted direct communication with Sylva before issuing the alert.
The EFCC said its action followed a warrant from a High Court in Lagos issued last Thursday.
Sylva served as Nigeria’s petroleum minister from 2019 to 2023 under the late President Muhammadu Buhari and was previously governor of Bayelsa State from 2007 to 2012.