By Joy Yesufu
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to fix a new date for his appearance over an alleged $14.8 million fraud, insisting he is currently unable to honour the invitation due to a medical emergency.
In a letter dated November 24 and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26, Sylva criticised the Commission’s move to declare him wanted, describing it as “unnecessary and too early.”
He said he is undergoing urgent treatment for a life-threatening condition and has been advised by his doctors to avoid any interruption until medically cleared.
The former Bayelsa State governor said he is in constant communication with his medical team to determine when it would be safe to temporarily suspend treatment and submit himself to the EFCC.
“In view of the foregoing, I most humbly request that a mutually agreed date be set, subject to medical clearance, to enable me to appear physically,” he wrote.
“I trust that the objective of your invitation is not to harm me but to genuinely investigate an alleged crime, in which case my request will be in order. For only the living can fully and responsibly respond to any allegation, which I firmly deny.”
Sylva also reminded the Commission that he honoured a previous invitation in December 2024, during which he made detailed statements and was granted administrative bail on self-recognition. According to him, the understanding at the time was that the EFCC would contact him only if further clarification was required.
The EFCC declared Sylva wanted on November 10, 2025, following a warrant issued by a Federal High Court in Lagos on November 6, 2025.
