Chief Timipre Sylva, former Minister of State for Petroleum, has written to the {Economic} and {Financial} Crimes Fee (EFCC), requesting {that a} particular date be mounted for him to look earlier than the company over an alleged $14.8 million fraud.
Within the letter dated November 24 and acknowledged by the EFCC on November 26, Sylva expressed robust concern over the Fee’s transfer to declare him wished, insisting he has by no means tried to evade investigation.
He knowledgeable the Fee that he’s at the moment present process pressing medical therapy for a life-threatening situation and is in session together with his medical doctors to find out the earliest secure date for look.
“I most humbly request {that a} mutually agreed date be set—topic to medical clearance—to allow me seem bodily. I belief the target of your invitation is to not hurt me however to analyze an alleged crime, which I firmly deny,” he wrote.
Sylva additionally referenced what he described as latest “distressing” occasions, together with the armed raid on his Abuja residence, throughout which a number of aides—drivers, safety personnel, and home workers—had been allegedly arrested and stay in custody.
The previous minister stated he was “shocked” on the EFCC’s public declaration of him as a wished individual on November 10, noting that he had beforehand honoured an invite in December 2024, was granted administrative bail on self-recognition, and acquired no additional communication from the company thereafter.
“I’ve by no means declined or evaded any lawful invitation. The declare that I jumped bail is inaccurate. No such bail situation existed or was violated by me,” he said.
Sylva warned that the unfolding actions of the EFCC danger creating the impression of political persecution, stressing that he has at all times been keen to cooperate absolutely with legislation enforcement authorities.
“The latest actions could also be misinterpreted as a political witch-hunt by many, particularly contemplating that I seem to have been a goal because the starting of this administration,” he added.