A FORMER Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Chief Timipre Sylva, has formally written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), requesting that the anti-graft agency fix a mutually agreed date for him to appear before investigators over an alleged $14.8 million fraud.
In a letter obtained by News Point Nigeria personally signed by him and dated November 24, but acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26, Sylva expressed displeasure over the commission’s public declaration naming him “wanted,” insisting that he has never refused any lawful invitation.
The EFCC had, on Monday, November 10, declared Sylva wanted in connection with the alleged fraud, sparking political and public reactions nationwide.
In the letter titled “I Am Here,” the former minister said contrary to insinuations that he was on the run, he is fully available to honour the EFCC’s invitation but is currently undergoing treatment for what he described as a life-threatening medical condition.
He stated that he remains in consultation with his medical team to determine whether interrupting the treatment briefly to appear before the EFCC would endanger his health.
“In view of the foregoing, I most humbly request that a mutually agreed date be set, subject to medical clearance, to enable me appear physically and formally,” he wrote.
Sylva added pointedly: “I trust that the objective of your invitation is not to unalive, but to genuinely investigate an alleged crime… For only the living may appropriately, fully and responsibly respond to any allegation, which I firmly and respectfully deny.”
The former governor also recounted what he described as “extraordinary and bewildering experiences” of the past few weeks, including a military operation at his private residence, during which several individuals—drivers, domestic staff, and security aides—were arrested and remain in detention.
He said the events have subjected his family, associates, and supporters to emotional and psychological distress.
Sylva also dismissed claims that he jumped bail, saying he had earlier honoured an EFCC invitation in December 2024, after which he was granted administrative bail on self-recognition.
He stressed that no subsequent invitation, request, or correspondence was issued to him by the commission since then.
“For the sake of clarity, propriety and historical record, I must respectfully state that no such incident occurred, nor was any such bail condition in existence or ever violated by me,” he wrote.
Sylva warned that the manner in which recent events have unfolded could be misinterpreted by the public as a political witch-hunt, adding that he appears to have been targeted since the beginning of the current administration.
He insisted that he has always cooperated with law enforcement institutions and remains ready to meet the EFCC once medically cleared.