Former Minister of State for Petroleum, Timipre Sylva, has formally written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), asking the agency to fix a date for him to appear before it over alleged $14.8 million fraud.
The letter, dated November 24 and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26, comes after the anti-graft agency declared the ex-minister wanted, a development Sylva said left him “taken aback.”
In the letter addressed to the EFCC, Sylva maintained his innocence, stressing that he was not evading investigation but awaiting medical clearance.
“I most humbly request that a mutually agreed date be set, subject to medical clearance, to enable me to appear physically. I trust the objective of your invitation is not to harm me but to investigate an alleged crime, which I firmly deny,” he wrote.
Sylva informed the Commission that he is currently receiving urgent medical treatment for a life-threatening condition, and is consulting his doctors on when it would be safe for him to honour the invitation.
According to him, he had previously honoured an EFCC invitation in December 2024, was granted administrative bail on self-recognition, and was not contacted again afterwards.
The former Bayelsa State governor said claims that he “jumped bail” or “evaded lawful invitation” were inaccurate, asserting that there were no conditions attached to the administrative bail that were violated.
“I have never declined or evaded any lawful invitation. The claim that I jumped bail is incorrect. No such bail condition existed or was violated by me,” he stated.
He added that the claim that he jumped bail was incorrect and insisted that the allegation was capable of creating confusion in the public space.
“I have never declined or evaded any lawful invitation. The claim that I jumped bail is incorrect. No such bail condition existed or was violated by me,” Sylva reiterated.
Sylva also recalled what he described as distressing events, including an armed operation at his Abuja residence, during which some of his aides and staff were arrested.
He said drivers, security personnel and domestic staff were arrested during the operation and remain in custody.
The former minister warned that the sequence of events could generate a public perception of political persecution, noting that the development may be misinterpreted.
“The recent actions may be misinterpreted as a political witch-hunt by many, especially considering that I appear to have been a target since the beginning of this administration,” he added.
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