Julius Bokoru, Special Assistant on Media and Public Affairs to former Minister of Petroleum, Chief Timipre Sylva, has strongly condemned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for sealing Sylva’s Maitama residence in Abuja.
In a statement released Monday titled, “A grave breach of decency: EFCC’s attempted raid and defacement of Sylva’s family home,” Bokoru criticized the commission for acting without due process. He noted that the EFCC had neither issued a letter, subpoena, nor warrant, and failed to notify Sylva before carrying out the operation.
The condemnation comes after Sylva was declared wanted in November over an alleged $14.8 million fraud. Earlier, military intelligence agents raided his home, detaining his brother and driver over suspected involvement in a failed coup attempt. Sylva had also written to the EFCC, requesting a mutually convenient date to respond to its invitation.
Bokoru described the EFCC’s latest action as a “disturbing affront to decency,” highlighting that officers spray-painted the walls of Sylva’s home in red with the words “EFCC — Keep Off,” turning the residence of a respected statesman into the semblance of a fugitive’s hideout.
He emphasized the distress caused to Sylva’s children, relatives, and staff, who had been confined in the residence for weeks, questioning the human impact of such aggressive tactics. “To violate such a place without warning is to inflict terror upon innocent people,” Bokoru stated.
Characterizing the EFCC’s conduct as “arbitrary” and “vindictive,” he said it undermines democratic principles and the values the commission is meant to uphold. However, he absolved President Bola Tinubu of any involvement, attributing the actions to local political rivalries being misrepresented as federal directives.
Bokoru praised Sylva as a statesman who has served Nigeria with loyalty, calmness, and patriotism, noting that he has remained dignified despite provocation. He also called attention to the ongoing detention of Sylva’s aides and domestic staff, describing their confinement as unjust and emblematic of broader political injustice.
Concluding on a note of resilience, Bokoru expressed hope that justice and truth would prevail over intimidation and malice, asserting that Nigeria has overcome similar challenges before and will do so again.