Probe Petroleum Minister’s alleged certificate forgery – Timi Frank to Bayelsa govt

 

Former National Deputy Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank has urged the governor of Bayelsa State, to commence the immediate investigation of alleged Minister of State for Petroleum, Timi Sylva’s alleged certificate forgery and identity theft.

Frank in a statement sent to DAILY POST in Abuja on Thursday, said the investigation if confirmed, should lead to the stripping Sylva of “His Excellency” title over alleged certificate forgery.

Frank reacted in a statement by an anti-corruption group, operating under the aegis of Citizens Initiative for Better Nigeria, who on Wednesday asked Sylva to respond to the allegations against him to that effect in a recent lawsuit.

Previously, a concerned group, Incorporated Trustees of Transparency Advocacy for Development Initiative (TADI) had dragged the Minister of State for Petroleum to Court over the issue.

The group through a lawsuit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/1563/2022 pointed out conflict in Timi Sylva’s name, particularly on his certificates.

Sylva in the suit was asked to explain differences in “Anagha Timipere, Marlin Anagha Timipre, Anagha Timipre Marlin and Chief Timipre Sylva.’

Frank recalled that a similar conflict in names sacked David Lyon as Governor-Elect by the Supreme Court less than 24 hours before his inauguration as governor of Bayelsa State.

He said: “The apex court upheld the judgement of a Federal High Court that disqualified Biobarakuma Degi-Eremienyo, Lyon’s running mate, for submitting forged credentials to INEC.”

The statement urged governor Duoye Diri, to expeditiously investigate and reveal the truth or otherwise of the allegations.

He enjoined the Bayelsa State House of Assembly to urgently pass a bill to delist Sylva’s name from the roll call of former Governors of the state until he clears his name in court.

Frank further advised President Buhari to urgently suspend his Minister from office in view of the suit filed against him, adding that “Sylva should be compelled to refund all monies paid to him in terms of emoluments and allowances while in office.

Frank who is the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) Ambassador to East Africa and Middle East, further called on International Oil Companies (IOCs) to stop transacting any official business with the Minister until he proves that the allegations are wrong.