EFCC Arrests Former Bayelsa Governor; Timipre Sylva In Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, have arrested the former governor of Bayelsa, Timipre Sylva. The arrest took place on Wednesday in Abuja. A statement by EFCC’s Acting Head of Media and Publicity, Wilson Uwujaren, said the former governor was “picked up at his Abuja home, at No. 3, Niger Street, Maitama where he was hiding in a dingy corner in the upper chamber of his expansive mansion.” by the EFCC officials who stormed the former governor’s home at about 10.00 am. The Head of Publicity went on to say “On arrival at the facility at about 10.00 am, the Commission’s operatives were told that the ex-governor was not in town but they insisted on conducting a search on the house having obtained a warrant from the court.” “During the search, vital documents were obtained. Ironically, the ex-governor who was said to be out of town was later found hiding in a dingy corner in the upper chamber of his expansive mansion” the statement claimed. Timipre Sylvia is being investigated of an array of charges involving fraudulent transactions and money laundering. The embattled governor is standing trial on a six-count money laundering charges and embezzling over N6billion of Bayelsa state funds whilst in office. It is also understood that he has refused to honor invitations, and stating that he was ill in Lagos, even though he was in Abuja. He was governor of Bayelsa State from 2008 to 2012.