Julius Bokoru, Special Assistant to former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and ex-Governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva, has strongly criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for sealing his principal’s Maitama residence in Abuja, describing the action as unlawful, vindictive, and a violation of democratic norms.
In a statement titled “A Grave Breach of Decency: EFCC’s Attempted Raid and Defacement of Sylva’s Family Home,” Bokoru said the operation was carried out “without a single letter, without a subpoena, without a warrant, without notification, and without even the most basic adherence to lawful process.”
He condemned the conduct of EFCC operatives, accusing them of acting with “no courtesy, no procedure, no humanity,” and added that the action amounted to “an affront to decency and a troubling assault on the very principles that underpin a civilised society.”
According to him, EFCC officers attempted another “aggressive intrusion” into the residence before spray-painting the walls in red with the inscription “EFCC — Keep Off”, as though marking the home of a fugitive rather than that of a “respected statesman.”
Bokoru described the residence as a family space where Sylva’s children, relatives, and staff have been “effectively encircled for weeks,” especially as some members of the household are reportedly unable to travel freely.
“To violate such a place, without warning, without justification, is to inflict terror upon innocent people who have no connection whatsoever to political gamesmanship,” he said, questioning how long Sylva’s family must continue living “in fear and uncertainty.”
He argued that the EFCC’s actions were arbitrary and inconsistent with the values expected of an institution created to uphold justice.
Bokoru also dismissed claims that President Bola Tinubu had authorized the operation, stressing that the President has always demonstrated respect for due process.
“This latest incident bears all the hallmarks of local political rivalry being misinterpreted, or mischievously presented, as federal instruction,” he said. “Government agencies must never allow themselves to become weapons in political contests.”
He warned that such misuse of institutions undermines both the agencies involved and the foundation of Nigeria’s democracy.
Bokoru further raised concerns about the continued detention of several of Sylva’s aides and domestic staff — Paganengigha Anagha, Friday Lusa Paul, Musa Mohammed, and Police Officer Reuben Ayuba — who he said have been held for weeks “on vague, insubstantial, and nearly non-existent allegations.”
“Their prolonged detention is unjust. Their suffering is needless. And their situation is emblematic of the wider injustice unfolding before the nation,” he said.
Despite the mounting tension, Bokoru expressed optimism that justice would prevail.
“Nigeria has weathered storms before — storms of uncertainty, of injustice, of heavy-handedness — and emerged stronger,” he said. “We believe justice will rise above intimidation and that truth will outlast malice.”
Earlier in November, the EFCC declared Timipre Sylva wanted for alleged conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14.8 million injected by the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) into Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited for the construction of a refinery.