- Ex-minister alleges intimidation
Families living in the Maitama home of former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, were thrown into fear on Monday when operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) allegedly entered the property and spray-painted “EFCC — KEEP OFF” on its walls.
His Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs, Julius Bokoru, said the former Governor of Bayelsa State described the action as intimidation, violation of due process and a “grave breach of decency”.
He accused EFCC operatives of arriving without prior notice, a court warrant, a subpoena, or any form of official communication before marking the walls of the residence in red paint.
Noting that the episode reflected an alarming disregard for lawful procedure, Sylva said such conduct was “unbecoming of any institution that claims to act in the national interest.”
The statement highlighted that the property remains the only secure living space available to Sylva’s children, relatives and domestic staff, which Bokoru said had been “effectively encircled” for weeks amid ongoing restrictions.
Violating such a residence, Bokoru added, amounted to instilling fear in innocent occupants who have no connection to political developments. He questioned how long the family must continue to endure “this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.”
Bokoru argued that the EFCC’s conduct departed from democratic norms anchored on due process, suggesting that the actions pointed to a troubling drift toward arbitrary use of state power.
He, however, absolved President Bola Tinubu of involvement, insisting that the President had consistently demonstrated fidelity to due process throughout his public career.
According to Bokoru, the incident bore “the hallmarks of local political rivalry being misinterpreted or mischievously presented as federal instruction.”
He warned that turning government institutions into instruments of political score-settling weakens institutional credibility and threatens national stability, emphasising that agencies must never allow themselves to become weapons in political contests.
The statement also drew attention to the continued detention of four men allegedly associated with Sylva—Paganengigha Anagha, Friday Lusa Paul, Musa Mohammed and Police Officer Reuben Ayuba—who he said have been held for weeks on “vague and nearly non-existent allegations.” Their situation, he said, was emblematic of a wider pattern of injustice.
Despite the tensions, Bokoru said Chief Sylva remains calm and hopeful, maintaining faith that justice will prevail. He expressed optimism that, like previous national challenges, the present situation would eventually give way to fairness and truth.
As of press time, the EFCC had yet to issue a formal response to the allegations.
Sylva, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), recently requested a fresh, mutually agreed date to honour an EFCC invitation over an alleged $14.8 million fraud after the commission declared him wanted. The former governor disclosed he is currently in the UK said he is currently undergoing urgent medical treatment for what he described as a “life-threatening condition”.
