Timipre Sylva, a former minister of state for petroleum resources, has written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) requesting a fresh appearance date for an alleged $14.8 million scam.
Sylva stated that the proposal to designate him wanted was “unnecessary and too early” in the letter dated November 24 and received by the EFCC on November 26.
He clarified that he is receiving critical medical care for a potentially fatal illness.
In order to determine when it will be safe to stop treatment and reply to the EFCC, the former governor of Bayelsa State stated that he is communicating with his physicians.
“In light of the aforementioned, I humbly request that a mutually agreed date be set, subject to medical clearance, to enable me to appear physically,” Sylva wrote.
“I hope that the purpose of your invitation is to seriously look into a claimed crime rather than to hurt me, in which case my request will be appropriate.
“I vehemently deny any allegation, as only the living can fully and responsibly respond to it.”
Additionally, Sylva reminded the EFCC that he had accepted an earlier invitation in December 2024, given thorough justifications, and received administrative bail on self-recognition, with the understanding that he would only be called again if more information was required.
On November 10, 2025, the EFCC declared Sylva sought after a Federal High Court in Lagos issued a warrant on November 6, 2025.
