YENAGOA — The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has urged former Bayelsa State Governor and ex-Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, to make himself available for questioning over an alleged $14.86 million fraud.
The invitation came shortly after Sylva announced his resignation from the All Progressives Congress (APC), accusing the anti-graft agency of operating more as an organ of the ruling party than as an independent institution of the state.
Reacting to Sylva’s allegation on Monday, EFCC spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the former governor should honour the commission’s invitation.
“He has been declared wanted; he should make himself available to the commission,” Oyewale said.
Sylva had, in his resignation letter, informed the EFCC Executive Chairman of his decision to quit the APC, while also copying the national chairman of the party and the Bayelsa State APC chairman.
The former governor, who resigned from the party after consultations with his family, associates, colleagues and supporters, accused the APC leadership of abandoning the ideals upon which the party was founded.
He also criticised the administration of President Bola Tinubu, alleging that the government had disappointed Nigerians.
Sylva described the APC as a “floundering ship” whose fate, in his assessment, had been compromised by what he called an “irredeemable load of iniquities.”
He further alleged that some party leaders had embraced the philosophy that “all is fair in politics.”
The former governor’s resignation has added a new dimension to the political and legal controversies surrounding him, coming at a time when the EFCC says he is wanted in connection with an alleged $14.86 million fraud.
The commission has therefore asked Sylva to present himself for questioning, setting the stage for a potentially significant development in the case.
Sylva has, however, maintained his position that the EFCC’s actions against him are politically motivated.
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