Efcc Arrests Former Govenor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva

The former governor was arrested by the Efcc after he played a boyish hide and seek game with the operatives of the agency when they arrived his home.

Read the Efcc press release below;

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, today (May 8, 2013) arrested the former governor of Bayelsa State, Timipre Sylva. He was picked up at his No. 3, Niger Street, Maitama, Abuja home. 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 of 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.

Supreme Court Sacks Five State Governors

The Supreme Court on Friday declared the elongated tenure of five governors illegal and consequently sacked them.

The governors are Ibrahim Idris (Kogi); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Timipre Sylva (Bayelsa); Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto); and Liyel Imoke (Cross River).

They are all governors elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The landmark decision was taken by a panel led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Dahiru Musdapher. Others on the panel are Justice Mahmud Mukhtar, Walter Onnonghen, Chukwuma Ene, Ibrahim Coomasie, Olufunlola Adekeye and Mary Peter-Odili.

Justice Onnoghen, who read the judgement, said the tenure of the governors elapsed on May 29, 2011 as the oath of office they took on May 29, 2007 remained valid.