In a statement issued on Sunday titled “Detention of Sylva’s aides: a call for reason, humanity, and due process,” Bokoru identified the detained individuals as:Paganengigha Anagha, Musa Mohammed (Chief Sylva’s personal driver)  Police Officer Ayuba Reuben  and Friday Lusa Paul (escort driver).

The raid on Sylva’s Maitama home was reportedly carried out months ago by operatives believed to be from military intelligence. 

Bokoru said the continued detention of the men, despite no clear charges, has caused severe distress to their families.

“The most distressing part of this saga is the quiet suffering of innocent men caught in the crossfire, fathers and husbands who remain in custody under circumstances that are, at best, unclear,” the statement read.

Bokoru noted that the detentions have persisted even after Chief Sylva formally wrote to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) confirming his willingness to honour its invitation on a mutually convenient date, subject only to completion of his ongoing treatment for a life-threatening medical condition in the United Kingdom.

The former Bayelsa governor and APC chieftain was declared wanted by the EFCC earlier in November over alleged $14.8 million fraud. 

Sylva has rejected the declaration, insisting he never jumped bail and has never dodged lawful summons.Bokoru also decried the continued 24-hour security presence around Sylva’s residence, describing it as a siege that has traumatised the former minister’s children and household.

While insisting that President Bola Tinubu is not behind the ordeal, Bokoru attributed the situation to “selfish individuals with political ambitions” who he claimed are using state institutions to settle scores ahead of future elections.

He reminded Nigerians of Sylva’s national contributions, including championing the Petroleum Industry Act and midwifing the Presidential Amnesty Programme that ended militancy and restored oil production in the Niger Delta.

“Such a patriot cannot be reduced to a pawn in local political rivalries,” Bokoru said.He appealed to security agencies to immediately release the detained aides, lift the siege on the residence, and allow due process to prevail, stressing that Sylva remains ready to appear before the EFCC as soon as his doctors clear him to travel.