A unique case of alleged corruption involving 58 former governors in Nigeria has been made public by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). These individuals are suspected of embezzling a total of almost N2.187 trillion over the course of the previous 25 years. This disclosure is a result of the EFCC’s continuous efforts to combat financial crimes and prosecute well-known perpetrators.
The amount of N2.187 trillion in embezzled monies that have been revealed highlights a serious problem with financial management and governance in the regions, surpassing the annual budgets of several states put together. To put things in perspective, the total money that these governors are accused of stealing is equivalent to the N2.25 trillion combined budget of Lagos State and all of the South-East governments for 2024.
The EFCC claims that this figure does not include properties that have been seized globally or those that are still being looked at, suggesting that the extent of the alleged wrongdoing may be substantially greater. This investigation represents one of the largest anti-corruption drives in Nigerian history, involving a broad spectrum of former state governors from various political persuasions and geographical areas. Nigeria has had approximately 170 governors in office since the country’s restoration to civilian rule in 1999, but the current investigation is concentrated on these 58 people since there is strong evidence of financial malfeasance throughout their terms in office.
The EFCC’s list of investigated ex-governors includes:
Late Abubakar Audu: N10.966 billion
TA Orji and sons: N551 billion
Yahaya Bello: N80.2 billion
Chimaroke Nnamani: N5.3 billion
Sullivan Chime: N450 million
Kayode Fayemi: N4 billion
Ayo Fayose: N6.9 billion
Abdullahi Adamu: N15 billion
Danjuma Goje: N5 billion
Aliyu Wamakko: N15 billion
Sule Lamido: N1.35 billion
Joshua Dariye: N1.16 billion
Timipre Sylva: N19.2 billion
Saminu Turaki: N36 billion
Bello Matawalle: N70 billion
Lucky Igbinedion: N4.5 billion
Musa Kwakwanso: N10 billion
Peter Odili: N100 billion
Jolly Nyame: N1.64 billion
James Ngilari: N167 million
Abdulaziz Yari: N84 billion
Godswill Akpabio: N100 billion
Abdul fatah Ahmed: N9 billion
Ali Modu-Sheriff: N300 billion
Willie Obiano: N43 billion
Ibrahim Dankwambo: N1.3 billion
Darius Ishaku: N39 billion
Ramalan Yero: N700 million
Achike Udenwa: N350 million
Rochas Okorocha: N10.8 billion
James Ibori: N40 billion
DSP Alamieyeseigha: N2.655 billion
Gabriel Suswam: N6.222 billion (total from two entries)
Samuel Ortom: N107 billion
Orji Uzor Kalu: N7.6 billion
Murtala Nyako: N29 billion
Rashid Ladoja: N4.7 billion
Christopher Alao-Akala: N11.5 billion
Abdulkadir Kure: N600 million
Babangida Aliyu: N4 billion
Idris Wada: N500 million
Ibrahim Shekarau: N950 million
Adamu Aliero: N10 billion
Usman Dakingari and wife: N5.8 billion
Attahiru Bafarawa: N19.6 billion
Jonah Jang: N6.3 billion
Aliyu Doma: N8 billion
Tanko Al’Makura: N4 billion
Boni Haruna: N93 billion
Bindow Jibrila: N62 billion
Adamu Muazu: N13 billion
Isa Yuguda: N212 billion
Mohammed Abubakar: N8.5 billion
The goal of the EFCC’s ongoing investigations and legal actions is to make these former governors responsible for their deeds and retrieve embezzled monies, which are vital for funding national welfare and development initiatives. In order to fight corruption and promote a more open political atmosphere, Nigeria’s governance systems urgently need stronger supervision and accountability measures. This case serves to highlight this necessity.
