Bayelsa Govt to prosecute Timipre Sylva, others

The Bayelsa State government has declared it’s intention to prosecute Timipre Sylva, a former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources and the All Progressive Congress 2023 governorship candidate, over the death of George Sibo, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and an election agent.

He was allegedly killed at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Collation Centre in Brass Local Government Area during the election.

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, who stated this during the burial of the deceased on Thursday in Twon-Brass, directed the state Attorney-General to commence legal action against Sylva, over the incident.

Diri, while expressing sadness over the dastardly killing of the young man, described the deceased as a hero of democracy and promised that the state government would bring the culprits to book.

He stated that as chief security officer of the state, he declined to use his powers in the face of provocation against the main opposition party candidate in the election, who prevented the PDP from campaigning in his community, Nembe-Bassambiri.

Diri emphasised that as governor, he deliberately did not challenge the excesses of the APC candidate as it would have resulted in the loss of innocent lives.

He said, “There are a lot of questions to answer. What was the candidate of the APC, Timipre Sylva, doing at the collation centre in Twon-Brass a day after the election? Why did he go there with the large crowd that led to the killing of this young man?

“I am pained and that was why I directed that autopsy be carried out, which has been done. I have further directed the Attorney-General to institute a case against Timipre Sylva and all those who invaded the collation centre that led to the killing of George Sibo.

“The Attorney-General of Bayelsa State will institute legal action to unravel his killers. The government of Bayelsa State is there to protect the lives of our people. I came here to mourn with you as we enter a promising young man of our state and Brass kingdom.”

The governor has directed the immediate employment of the deceased’s two wives in the state civil service, ensuring they can provide for their children.

Chief Sam Ateke, Chairman of the Brass PDP Caucus, praised the governor for his determination to bring the perpetrators of the party member’s killing to justice through legal channels and assured that the Brass community would fully cooperate with the government to achieve this goal.