The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has intensified its campaign against corruption, with seven former governors and ministers at the forefront of its prosecutions in 2024.
Just hours after re-arraigning former Kwara State Governor Abdul-Fatah Ahmed for an alleged N5.78 billion fraud, the agency revealed that he is merely one among numerous high-profile individuals facing legal action under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede, appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
Data collected between October 18, 2023, and October 18, 2024, indicates that the EFCC has arrested and is prosecuting several notable figures, including three former governors, two former ministers, and other prominent officials for alleged financial misconduct. Those embroiled in legal troubles include:
Yahaya Bello (Kogi State), Willie Obiano (Anambra State), and Darius Ishaku (Taraba State), all of whom find themselves mired in corruption accusations involving the misappropriation of state funds amounting to billions of naira.
Darius Ishaku and his former permanent secretary, Bello Yero, face a 15-count charge of criminal breach of trust and conversion of public funds totaling N27 billion before the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja.
Yahaya Bello is grappling with two separate prosecutions related to over N190 billion in money laundering and breach of trust charges; his nephew and Chief of Staff, Ali Bello, is also implicated.
The EFCC has also summoned former ministers from the Buhari and Obasanjo administrations:
Saleh Mamman, who served as power minister under Buhari, is facing 12 counts of conspiracy and money laundering involving more than N33 billion.
Olu Agunloye, another former power minister, is accused of fraudulent contracts linked to the Mambilla Power Project, totaling $6 billion.
Hadi Sirika, former aviation minister under Buhari, is charged alongside his brother for alleged fraud amounting to N5.8 billion.
The EFCC’s efforts extend beyond those currently in court. The agency is investigating three former ministers, including Sadiya Umar-Farouk, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, under suspicion of misappropriating N37 billion.
Betta Edu, the former national APC Woman Leader and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, is being scrutinized for allegedly diverting N585.2 billion intended for poverty alleviation.
Charles Ugwuh, former Minister of Commerce and Industry, and Geoffrey Ekenma are also under investigation for conspiracy and fraud involving N3.6 billion.
Additionally, the EFCC is pursuing corruption cases against former heads of key national agencies: Halima Shehu, ex-National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme (NISP), is being probed for N44.8 billion in fraud, while Jalal Arabi, former chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), faces inquiries over financial irregularities involving 25 million Saudi Riyal (N10 billion) linked to private companies during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
