The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has launched a manhunt for former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Bayelsa State Governor, Timipre Sylva, over allegations involving nearly $15 million linked to a stalled refinery project.

In a statement released by the agency’s spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, the EFCC accused Sylva of participating in a scheme involving the alleged diversion of $14.86 million. The funds were reportedly part of an investment by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the development of a modular refinery intended to improve Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity.

According to the EFCC, a Federal High Court in Lagos issued a warrant for Sylva’s arrest on November 6, 2025. The order, signed by Justice D.I. Dipeolu, authorizes EFCC operatives, the police, and other security agencies to take him into custody and present him to the commission for questioning on the allegations.

The commission also appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with credible information on his location to reach out to any EFCC zonal command or report to the nearest police station.

Sylva, who served as petroleum minister from 2019 to 2023 and contested the 2023 Bayelsa governorship election under the All Progressives Congress (APC), has yet to respond publicly to the allegations.