A spokesperson for Nigeria’s former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has described an arrest warrant issued against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as politically motivated.

The anti-graft agency accuses Sylva and several others of diverting about $15 million (₦23 billion) in public funds meant for the construction of an oil refinery. It also issued a “wanted notice” on social media, urging anyone with information on his whereabouts to contact the commission.

In response, Sylva’s spokesperson, Julius Bokoru, said the former minister is currently in the United Kingdom for a medical check-up and plans to reach out to the EFCC upon his return. He maintained that the refinery project in question was legitimate and fully documented.

“The refinery project is a legitimate, transparent, and verifiable undertaking with traceable documentation,” Bokoru said, questioning why the EFCC did not reach out directly to Sylva before going public.

He accused the commission of attempting to “inflame public sentiment” by declaring his principal wanted online instead of following due process.

According to the EFCC, the wanted notice followed a warrant of arrest issued by a Lagos High Court last Thursday.

Sylva, who served as Minister of State for Petroleum Resources from 2019 to 2023 under former President Muhammadu Buhari, was also Governor of Bayelsa State between 2007 and 2012.