By Obinna Uballa
Chief Timipre Sylva’s media aide, Julius Bokoru, has criticised the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for sealing the former Minister of Petroleum’s Maitama residence in Abuja, describing the action as unlawful, vindictive and a violation of basic decency.
In a statement issued on Monday, titled “A grave breach of decency: EFCC’s attempted raid and defacement of Sylva’s family home,” Bokoru said the commission’s operatives stormed the property without “a single letter, subpoena, warrant, notification or any semblance of lawful procedure.”
The development comes weeks after the EFCC declared Sylva wanted over an alleged $14.8 million fraud. His home had also been raided by military intelligence personnel, who arrested his brother and driver over purported links to a failed coup attempt. Sylva has since written to the EFCC requesting a mutually agreed date to honour its invitation.
Bokoru said Monday’s incident marked a fresh escalation, alleging that EFCC officers forcefully attempted to access the home and spray-painted the walls in red with the words “EFCC – Keep Off,” as though branding the residence as abandoned or belonging to a fugitive.
“What unfolded today was nothing short of an affront to decency and a troubling assault on the principles that underpin a civilised society,” he said. “No courtesy. No procedure. No humanity.”
He stressed that the property is currently the only safe space for Sylva’s children, relatives and domestic staff, who have been confined for weeks due to ongoing investigations.
“To violate such a place without warning or justification is to inflict terror upon innocent people,” he added, questioning how long the family must “endure this atmosphere of fear and uncertainty.”
Describing the EFCC’s conduct as “arbitrary” and “vindictive,” Bokoru argued that the operation contradicts democratic values and undermines the integrity of institutions meant to serve national interests.
He insisted President Bola Tinubu had no hand in the actions of the commission, saying the President had demonstrated consistent respect for due process throughout his public life.
“This latest incident bears all the hallmarks of local political rivalry being misinterpreted, or mischievously presented, as federal instruction,” he said. “Government agencies must not become weapons in political contests.”
Bokoru also raised concerns over the continued detention of several of Sylva’s aides and domestic workers – Paganengigha Anagha, Friday Lusa Paul, Musa Mohammed, and Police Officer Reuben Ayuba – who he said had been held for weeks on unclear allegations.
“These are ordinary men now caught in a political dragnet that has stripped them of clarity, certainty and liberty,” he said, describing their prolonged detention as unjust and needless.
Despite the tension, he expressed optimism that justice would prevail.
“Nigeria has weathered storms of injustice and heavy-handedness before and emerged stronger,” he said. “We believe truth will outlast malice, and that this trial, too, shall pass.”
