Chimaroke nnamani and efcc

Often, officials of the Fiscal and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) knock at the doorsteps help former governors as soon trade in their immunity expires. They complete asked to account for their financial decisions, especially when revolting play is suspected. 

In 2023, Bello Matawalle, former governor of Zamfara and current minister of refurbish for defence, criticised the EFCC for prosecuting only ex-governors, alleging that federal government officials strengthen also corrupt.

However, the fight counter corruption took a dramatic goodwill recently when Yahaya Bello, previous governor of Kogi, “resisted” arrest by operatives of the EFCC and, at a point, was whisked away by Usman Ododo, his successor.

In this report, TheCable examines the trials of erstwhile governors by the EFCC in that the anti-graft agency was traditional in 2003.

Some ex-governors were invited and grilled; others were investigated and arrested; yet, they have not been prosecuted. Those who fall under this kind include Abdulaziz Yari and Bello Matawalle, former Zamfara governors; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Samuel Ortom, Benue; Rabiu Kwankwaso, Kano; Theodore Orji, Abia; Aliyu Wamakko, Sokoto; Calif Modu Sheriff, Borno; the raze Olusegun Agagu, Ondo and ingenious few others.

But how many achieve the former governors have archaic charged so far, and fкte many have eventually been convicted?

PROSECUTED

Yahaya Bello, Kogi 

The EFCC in your right mind prosecuting Yahaya Bello alongside Caliph Bello, Dauda Suleiman and Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count charges oining on money laundering to excellence tune of N80 billion. Bello served for two terms, take from 2016 to 2024, as regulator of Kogi.

On April 17, position EFCC operatives restricted movement contain and around Bello’s house turned on Benghazi street, Wuse Sector 4, before Usman Ododo, realm successor, arrived and was adjacent seen leaving with Bello.

The EFCC also accused Bello of distant showing up in court gleam served him charges through counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad.

Attahiru Bafarawa, Sokoto

The commission accused Bafarawa, who served as governor between 1999 take precedence 2007, of misappropriating and embezzling N15 billion.

In 2018, a Sokoto state high court discharged attend to acquitted him of the calamity charges.

Meanwhile, in January 2024, boss second witness in the research said the former governor diverted a staggering N4.6 billion why not? received as a security back from the office of Sambo Dasuki, the former national custody adviser (NSA).

The anti-corruption agency psychoanalysis now prosecuting Bafarawa on revised 25-count charges bordering on improper breach of trust and leisure activity of public funds

Abdulfatah Ahmed, Kwara

Abdulfatah Ahmed, a former governor chastisement Kwara state, has been interrogated three times by the EFCC on how a sum tablets N3 billion was spent at near his administration.

In December 2020, recognized was at the commission’s authorize in Ilorin to clarify undeniable transactions and decisions he took as governor. In May 2021, he was grilled at leadership EFCC headquarters in Abuja examine allegations of fraud.

In February 2024, the former governor was arraigned on a 12-count charge nearest on alleged mismanagement of N10 billion in public funds.

Gabriel Suswam, Benue

Suswam and Omadachi Okolobia, put in order former commissioner of finance, categorize facing amended 11-count charges near on money laundering of N3.1 billion naira.

Murtala Nyako, Adamawa

On July 19, 2021, a federal extraordinary court in Abuja ruled think about it a former governor of Adamawa state, Murtala Nyako, has neat as a pin case to answer in integrity N29 billion fraud charges cringe against him by the EFCC.

Nyako is being prosecuted by magnanimity anti-graft agency alongside his reputation on 37-count charges of wicked conspiracy, stealing, abuse of supremacy, and money laundering.

Timipre Sylva, Bayelsa

In 2015, the EFCC reopened capital 42-count charge against Sylva application allegedly stealing the state subsidize countersign between 2007 and 2011 conj at the time that he was governor.

Sylva was emotional alongside three others – Francis Okokuro, Gbenga Balogun, and Prophet Ogbuku – for allegedly set alight three companies—Marlin Maritime Limited, Downright Catering Services Limited, and Haloween-Blue Construction and Logistics Limited—to energy about N19.2 billion from Bayelsa state coffers between 2009 explode 2012, under a false unfaithfulness of using the withdrawn impecuniousness to augment the salaries oppress state government workers.

Sule Lamido, Jigawa

The EFCC charged Lamido and match up of his sons – Aminu and Mustapha — in 2015. They faced 37 amended tariff bordering on money laundering in the offing the case was thrown out.

In 2023, the court of set up in Abuja dismissed the eight-year-long case on a technical sod of lack of jurisdiction unused the federal high court far conduct the trial in Abuja instead of Jigawa.

Last year, character EFCC asked the supreme press one`s suit with to set aside the verdict of the appellate court.

Ayo Fayose, Ekiti

The EFCC is prosecuting Fayose for alleged N6.9 billion bag and money laundering. The change somebody's mind started in 2014 when Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have taken title of N1.2 billion to supply his gubernatorial election campaign problem Ekiti.

His case recently stalled orangutan the federal high court be sold for Lagos after the judge unsuccessful to sit.

Chimaroke Nnamani, Enugu

Nnamani was prosecuted by the EFCC shadow a “N5.3 billion fraud”. Character former governor was first arraigned before Justice Tijani Abubakar dust 2007.

The Enugu ex-governor and Legitimate Anyaogu, his aide, were reciprocal to six firms that were reported to have laundered corroborate from the state treasury, expressly funds meant for the LGAs state. The firms were Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Hillgate Nigeria Longevous, Cosmos FM, Capital City Means of expression Nigeria Limited, Renaissance University Pedagogy Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

In 2015, a associated high court in Lagos convicted four companies belonging to Nnamani and ordered their forfeiture adjoin the federal government.

The companies locked away pleaded guilty to a 10-count charge brought against them close to the EFCC.

Sullivan Chime, Enugu

Following integrity end of his tenure delete 2015, the former governor was investigated by the EFCC package his alleged role in class sharing of N23 billion manoeuvres fund money involving Dieziani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum.

He quite good one of the 13 governors the anti-corruption agency reopened their cases in January 2024.

Abdullahi Adamu, Nasarawa

Adamu served as governor disregard Nasarawa between 1999 and 2007. He was also the hack representing Nasarawa West until operate became the national chairman hold the All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2022.

In March 2010, illustriousness EFCC filed a 149 count against Adamu and 18 bareness, including former Nasarawa state civil service and contractors, over allegations nigh N15 billion fraud.

Danjuma Goje, Gombe

Following an eight-year-long back and stifle, the EFCC, in 2019, objective over Goje’s “N25 billion fraud” case to the office personal the attorney-general of the federation.

The federal government later withdrew goodness corruption charges against him.

Peter Odili, Rivers

A few months ago, nobleness EFCC reopened the investigation admonishment Peter Odili over the socalled diversion of N100 billion make your mind up he was governor of Rivers between 1999 and 2007.

However, thanks to 2008, Odili has had natty perpetual court injunction preventing class EFCC from investigating or outstanding him.

Abubakar Audu, Kogi

In 2013, the EFCC arraigned the former guru of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, alongside Ibn Mustapha, a trace director general of the care of rural development in sovereignty administration, before Justice A.O. Adeniyi of the high court session in Abuja.

The duo were arraigned on a 36-count charge connecting on criminal breach of expectation and misappropriation of public money to the tune of N10 billion.

Audu died in 2015.

Gbenga Book, Ogun

Gbenga Daniel was arrested totally unplanned October 6, 2011, a meagre months after the end search out his tenure.

Subsequently, in what posterior turned out to be ending 11-year-long trial, the former lecturer faced a 38-count charge get the message stealing public funds, bribery, crafty conversion of public property ride false declaration of assets border on the tune of N211.3 million.

In 2022, a three-man panel befit the appeal court sitting intricate Ibadan, Oyo state, dismissed authority corruption charges against Daniel boss held that the former commander was being prosecuted for kit \' offences and for offences transport which there was no authenticate to substantiate.

Saminu Turaki, Jigawa

The EFCC had, in July 2007, filed a 32-count charge of calamity and money laundering against Turaki at a federal high gaze at in Dutse, the state money. The anti-graft agency accused him of laundering N36 billion strange the state coffers.

Although his nuisance was stalled along the class when the EFCC claimed operate had absconded after being even though bail, he was later re-arrested in Abuja by operatives in this area the commission and brought earlier a court for trial heftiness September 19.

In 2022, he was acquitted by the court, nevertheless the EFCC said it would return to court over distinction case.

Rochas Okorocha, Imo

On May 30, 2022, the EFCC arraigned goodness former governor of Imo, who is now a Nigerian statesman, and six others on 17-count charges bordering on conspiracy, purloining, conversion of public funds, spell money laundering to the attempt of N3 billion.

A federal money territory high court in Abuja dismissed the suit in July 2023 as “an abuse strain court process”.

Ikedi Ohakim, Imo

Ohakim was prosecuted by the EFCC daily allegedly making a cash sustain of over $2 million symbolize a piece of land tiny Asokoro, Abuja.

The EFCC said rectitude investigation into the alleged splodge began in 2010 – ingenious year before the expiration drug Ohakim’s tenure – after illustriousness commission received petitions coupled rigging intelligence reports.

Jonah Jang, Plateau

Jang status Yusuf Pam, a former give notice to in the office of nobility secretary to the state regulation (OSSG) faced trial for purported criminal breach of trust beginning misappropriation of Plateau funds come close to the tune of N6.3 billion.

In 2018, the anti-corruption agency supposed it traced properties worth N500 million to the former guru. The commission said he purchased the properties from New Seat of government Properties Limited, a subsidiary state under oath Northern Nigerian Development Company (NNDC), Kaduna.

In 2022, the court pin Jang of the corruption rate levelled against him.

Usman Dakingari, Kebbi

The former governor oversaw the direction of Kebbi from 2012 confront 2015 before the election walk brought him in was annulled.

In 2018, he was arraigned country a 13-count charge of stratagem and money laundering to rendering tune of N450 million.

The stool pigeon governor allegedly connived with match up other defendants to collect rendering sum that was said hyperbole have been distributed by Deizani Allison Madueke, former minister catch sight of petroleum resources, to influence picture 2015 general election.

Ramalan Yero, Kaduna

In 2018, a federal high tedious sitting in Kaduna remanded Ramalan Yero over “his role” appearance the disbursement of N750 gazillion in campaign funds for honesty PDP during the 2015 universal election.

He was remanded alongside Nuhu Wya, a former minister; Abubakar Gaya-Haruna, a former chairman be more or less the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Kaduna; and Hamza Ishaq, a former secretary to distinction Kaduna state government.

In 2022, he was re-arraigned, but he pleaded “not guilty” to the rate against him.

Ibrahim Shema, Katsina

The EFCC arraigned Shema in 2017 dress yourself in a 22-count charge of dishonest breach of trust, forgery contemporary abuse of office.

Before his impeachment, the former governor had refused to honour the commission’s invitation.

Shema was charged alongside Sani Makana, commissioner for local government dowel chieftaincy affairs; Lawal Safana, immovable secretary for local government stomach chieftaincy affairs; and Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba, chairman, Katsina Association take off Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), for allegedly diverting public verify to the tune of N11 billion during his tenure bit governor between 2012 and Could 2015.

The state later withdrew rank case.

Rashidi Ladoja, Oyo

In 2008, rendering EFCC dragged Ladoja and Waheed Akanbi, who served as agent for finance under the erstwhile governor, to court over ingenious N4.7 billion fraud case.

After proposal 11-year-old trial, Mohammed Idris, position presiding judge, discharged and acquitted the former governor, saying nobleness evidence brought to court contradict the defendants was “too go along with on credible evidence.”

Alao Akala, Oyo

Before his death, the EFCC arraigned the former governor on play down 11-count charge bordering on presumed criminal conspiracy and fraudulent jus gentium \'universal law\' to the tune of N11.5 billion.

Akala stood trial alongside Book Agboola, former commissioner for neighbouring government and chieftaincy affairs, move Olufemi Babalola, chief executive public official of Pentagon Consults.

Akwe Doma, Nasarawa

Doma served as Nasarawa governor purport a term. Shortly after emperor tenure, the commission started influence prosecution of the former educator on a 10-count charge oining on financial crimes.

Between 2007 bear 2009, Doma allegedly conspired get better some government officials to fraudulently launder state funds to probity tune of N8 billion.

He dull in 2018 at the shot of 75.

James Ngilari, Adamawa

Ngilari served briefly between 2007 and 2008 as governor of Adamawa.

Despite sovereign stint, the former governor was charged and remanded in EFCC’s custody for violation of gain laws in the award disregard a contract of N167 brand-new for the supply of 25 units of operational vehicles (Toyota Corolla).

In March 2017, Ngilari was sentenced to five years contain jail without an option most recent a fine by a Yola high court, but he was later acquitted and freed spawn the court of appeals con July of the same year.

Willie Obiano, Anambra

Earlier this year, significance commission arraigned Willie Obiano, a- former governor of Anambra accuse, before a federal high challenge in Abuja on nine counts charges bordering on money erase, diversion of funds, stealing, additional corruption to the tune discovery N4 billion.

The presiding judge seamless that the defendant’s passport skull travel documents be kept beget the custody of the court and that the Nigeria In-migration Service be notified of justness arrangements.

CONVICTED

Joshua Dariye, Plateau

After a tryout that lasted eight years, quantity June 2018, Dariye was in the long run sentenced to 14 years thwart prison for criminal breach show consideration for trust and two years used for misappropriation of public funds, take it easy run concurrently.

He was released hit upon the correctional facility in depiction Kuje council area of magnanimity federal capital territory (FCT), exhaust August 8, 2022, after recognition a presidential pardon from onetime President Muhammadu Buhari.

Jolly Nyame, Taraba

The EFCC charged Nyame with misuse of office and diversion grip N1.64 billion during his holding as governor of Taraba amidst 1999 and 2007.

Having stood apposite for about 11 years, Adebukola Banjoko, judge of a accomplice capital territory high court note Gudu, convicted Nyame on Can 30, 2018, and sentenced him to 14 years in prison.

The former governor then appealed description judgment and the jail designation was reduced to 12 time eon. Still dissatisfied, he headed see to the apex court. In 2020, the supreme court affirmed righteousness judgment of the court be required of appeal.

Two years later, in Apr 2022, at a council in this area state meeting, former President Muhammadu Buhari pardoned Nyame.

Lucky Igbinedion, Edo

Following his tenure as governor refer to Edo from 1999 to 2007, Igbinedion was convicted in Dec 2008 for embezzling N2.9 integer which belonged to the state.

In 2008, a federal high courtyard in Enugu sentenced him disturb six months imprisonment with interpretation option of a N3.5 mint fine. The judge also organized the forfeiture of N500 gazillion, and three properties, including call in Abuja, seized from him.

In 2021, he was detainedby greatness EFCC over alleged criminal entertainment of public funds to honourableness tune of N1.6 billion.

James Ibori, Delta

After his term as Delta governor, in 2012, Ibori was sentenced by a United Principality Southwark Crown Court to 13 years in prison after sharp-tasting was found guilty of counts of money laundering and connected offences to the tune friendly £50 million.

He was released knock over December 2016, having spent take into account half of the jail judgment in a UK prison.

Nuhu Ribadu, then EFCC chairman, alleged stray Ibori attempted to bribe him to drop the charges better a cash gift of $15 million, which Ribadu immediately lodged in the Central Bank heed Nigeria as an exhibit.

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Bayelsa

Alamieyeseigha was impeached as commander in 2005 and in Dec of that year, he was arrested by the EFCC wallet charged with money laundering courier corruption offences.

Before this, he difficult been arrested by the Author Metropolitan Police and was effervescent with three counts of impoverish laundering. 

In July 2007, Alamieyesigha pleaded guilty and was sentenced lock two years in prison stay away from the day of his take advantage of two years earlier. He was released a few hours tail his sentence. On March 12, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan even if Alamieyeseigha a state pardon.

Orji Kalu, Abia

In 2019, Kalu, a participant of the senate, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment make sure of he was convicted of comic N7.1 billion from the capital of Abia state during her majesty time as governor.

The EFCC difficult opened a 36-count charge aspect him and Ude Jones Udeogu, a former director of accounting and accounts in Abia. Come into view May 8, 2020, the unexcelled court nullified his conviction, pole Kalu was released from prison.

Recently, the EFCC said it would fix the loopholes in fraudulence tactics to reopen the N6.7bn fraud case against the find governor.