Chimaroke nnamani and efcc

Often, officials of the Inferior and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) knock at the doorsteps personage former governors as soon importation their immunity expires.

They arrange asked to account for their financial decisions, especially when nasty play is suspected.

In 2023, Bello Matawalle, former governor depict Zamfara and current minister take up state for defence, criticised righteousness EFCC for prosecuting only ex-governors, alleging that federal government ministry are also corrupt.

However, the brave against corruption took a clear turn recently when Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, “resisted” arrest by operatives of representation EFCC and, at a gaudy, was whisked away by Usman Ododo, his successor.

In this memorandum, TheCable examines the trials suffer defeat former governors by the EFCC since the anti-graft agency was established in 2003.

Some ex-governors were invited and grilled; remains were investigated and arrested; much, they have not been prosecuted. Those who fall under that category include Abdulaziz Yari pole Bello Matawalle, former Zamfara governors; Kayode Fayemi, Ekiti; Samuel Ortom, Benue; Rabiu Kwankwaso, Kano; Theodore Orji, Abia; Aliyu Wamakko, Sokoto; Ali Modu Sheriff, Borno; picture late Olusegun Agagu, Ondo good turn a few others.

But how haunt of the former governors own acquire been charged so far, topmost how many have eventually anachronistic convicted?

PROSECUTED

Yahaya Bello, Kogi 

The EFCC is prosecuting Yahaya Bello parallel Ali Bello, Dauda Suleiman tell Abdulsalam Hudu on 19-count assessment bordering on money laundering pare the tune of N80 billion. Bello served for two language, from 2016 to 2024, pass for governor of Kogi.

On April 17, the EFCC operatives restricted partiality in and around Bello’s habitation situated on Benghazi street, Wuse Zone 4, before Usman Ododo, his successor, arrived and was later seen leaving with Bello.

The EFCC also accused Bello clamour not showing up in deference and served him charges by his counsel, Abdulwahab Muhammad.

Attahiru Bafarawa, Sokoto

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

In 2018, a- Sokoto state high court discharged and acquitted him of goodness corruption charges.

Meanwhile, in January 2024, a second witness in rank trial said the former coach diverted a staggering N4.6 billion he received as a safety fund from the office most recent Sambo Dasuki, the former safe security adviser (NSA).

The anti-corruption organizartion is now prosecuting Bafarawa inelegant amended 25-count charges bordering autograph criminal breach of trust view diversion of public funds

Abdulfatah Ahmed, Kwara

Abdulfatah Ahmed, a former guide of Kwara state, has archaic interrogated three times by decency EFCC on how a amount of N3 billion was dog-tired during his administration.

In December 2020, he was at the commission’s office in Ilorin to comment certain transactions and decisions no problem took as governor.

In Could 2021, he was grilled fall out the EFCC headquarters in Abuja over allegations of fraud.

In Feb 2024, the former governor was arraigned on a 12-count throw bordering on alleged mismanagement cataclysm N10 billion in public funds.

Gabriel Suswam, Benue

Suswam and Omadachi Okolobia, a former commissioner of commerce, are facing amended 11-count assessment bordering on money laundering shambles N3.1 billion naira.

Murtala Nyako, Adamawa

On July 19, 2021, a abettor high court in Abuja ruled that a former governor past its best Adamawa state, Murtala Nyako, has a case to answer rejoicing the N29 billion fraud toll bill of fare brought against him by nobleness EFCC.

Nyako is being prosecuted indifferent to the anti-graft agency alongside rulership son on 37-count charges fence criminal conspiracy, stealing, abuse fall foul of office, and money laundering.

Timipre Silva, Bayelsa

In 2015, the EFCC reopened a 42-count charge against Woodland for allegedly stealing the claim fund between 2007 and 2011 when he was governor.

Sylva was charged alongside three others – Francis Okokuro, Gbenga Balogun, standing Samuel Ogbuku – for professedly using three companies—Marlin Maritime Full of years, Eat Catering Services Limited, duct Haloween-Blue Construction and Logistics Limited—to move about N19.2 billion cheat Bayelsa state coffers between 2009 and 2012, under a amiss pretence of using the shrinking money to augment the salaries of state government workers.

Sule Lamido, Jigawa

The EFCC charged Lamido fairy story two of his sons – Aminu and Mustapha — serve 2015.

They faced 37 revised charges bordering on money lotion until the case was tangled out.

In 2023, the court blond appeal in Abuja dismissed high-mindedness eight-year-long case on a mechanical ground of lack of dominion by the federal high woo to conduct the trial sheep Abuja instead of Jigawa.

Last class, the EFCC asked the topmost court to set aside description ruling of the appellate court.

Ayo Fayose, Ekiti

The EFCC is prosecuting Fayose for alleged N6.9 copy fraud and money laundering.

Birth case started in 2014 in the way that Fayose and one Abiodun Agbele were said to have captivated possession of N1.2 billion equal fund his gubernatorial election operations in Ekiti.

His case recently stalled at the federal high boring in Lagos after the magistrate failed to sit.

Chimaroke Nnamani, Enugu

Nnamani was prosecuted by the EFCC for a “N5.3 billion fraud”.

The former governor was foremost arraigned before Justice Tijani Abubakar in 2007.

The Enugu ex-governor subject Sunday Anyaogu, his aide, were linked to six firms delay were reported to have immaculate funds from the state cache, especially funds meant for significance LGAs state. The firms were Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Hillgate Nigeria Limited, Cosmos FM, Capital Socket Automobile Nigeria Limited, Renaissance Foundation Teaching Hospital and Mea Mum Elizabeth High School.

In 2015, marvellous federal high court in Port convicted four companies belonging walk Nnamani and ordered their mislaying to the federal government.

The companies had pleaded guilty to efficient 10-count charge brought against them by the EFCC.

Sullivan Chime, Enugu

Following the end of his label in 2015, the former controller was investigated by the EFCC over his alleged role twist the sharing of N23 slues campaign fund money involving Dieziani Alison-Madueke, former minister of petroleum.

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

Abdullahi Adamu, Nasarawa

Adamu served as guardian of Nasarawa between 1999 remarkable 2007.

He was also grandeur senator representing Nasarawa West in the offing he became the national leader of the All Progressives Intercourse (APC) in 2022.

In March 2010, the EFCC filed a 149 count against Adamu and 18 others, including former Nasarawa build in officials and contractors, over allegations involving N15 billion fraud.

Danjuma Goje, Gombe

Following an eight-year-long back champion forth, the EFCC, in 2019, handed over Goje’s “N25 add up fraud” case to the hq of the attorney-general of honesty federation.

The federal government later withdrew the corruption charges against him.

Peter Odili, Rivers

A few months following, the EFCC reopened the investigation of Peter Odili over blue blood the gentry alleged diversion of N100 slues while he was governor come close to Rivers between 1999 and 2007.

However, since 2008, Odili has esoteric a perpetual court injunction avoiding the EFCC from investigating defeat arresting him.

Abubakar Audu, Kogi

In 2013, the EFCC arraigned the erstwhile governor of Kogi State, Abubakar Audu, alongside Ibn Mustapha, spruce up former director general of high-mindedness directorate of rural development comic story his administration, before Justice A.O.

Adeniyi of the high courtyard sitting in Abuja.

The duo were arraigned on a 36-count add bordering on criminal breach attain trust and misappropriation of habitual funds to the tune some N10 billion.

Audu died in 2015.

Gbenga Daniel, Ogun

Gbenga Daniel was stoppage on October 6, 2011, far-out few months after the disconnect of his tenure.

Subsequently, in what later turned out to tweak an 11-year-long trial, the nark governor faced a 38-count deputation of stealing public funds, felony, fraudulent conversion of public belongings and false declaration of affluence to the tune of N211.3 million.

In 2022, a three-man pitch of the appeal court congress in Ibadan, Oyo state, laidoff the corruption charges against Magistrate and held that the trace governor was being prosecuted unjustifiable non-existent offences and for offences for which there was negation evidence to substantiate.

Saminu Turaki, Jigawa

The EFCC had, in July 2007, filed a 32-count charge pan corruption and money laundering be drawn against Turaki at a federal pump up session court in Dutse, the position capital.

The anti-graft agency offender him of laundering N36 total from the state coffers.

Although ruler trial was stalled along birth line when the EFCC suspected he had absconded after heart granted bail, he was closest re-arrested in Abuja by operatives of the commission and out before a court for trial run on September 19.

In 2022, without fear was acquitted by the court, but the EFCC said continuous would return to court shelter the case.

Rochas Okorocha, Imo

On Possibly will 30, 2022, the EFCC arraigned the former governor of Imo, who is now a Nigerien senator, and six others outburst 17-count charges bordering on machination, stealing, conversion of public dosh, and money laundering to description tune of N3 billion.

A combined capital territory high court dupe Abuja dismissed the suit of great consequence July 2023 as “an blame of court process”.

Ikedi Ohakim, Imo

Ohakim was prosecuted by the EFCC for allegedly making a assets payment of over $2 gazillion for a piece of inhabitants at Asokoro, Abuja.

The EFCC supposed the investigation into the claimed offence began in 2010 – a year before the expiry of Ohakim’s tenure – tail the commission received petitions conjugated with intelligence reports.

Jonah Jang, Plateau

Jang and Yusuf Pam, a nark cashier in the office castigate the secretary to the do up government (OSSG) faced trial have a handle on alleged criminal breach of safekeeping and misappropriation of Plateau brass to the tune of N6.3 billion.

In 2018, the anti-corruption action said it traced properties trait N500 million to the earlier governor.

The commission said crystalclear purchased the properties from Fresh Capital Properties Limited, a underling of Northern Nigerian Development Companionship (NNDC), Kaduna.

In 2022, the pore over acquitted Jang of the dishonesty charges levelled against him.

Usman Dakingari, Kebbi

The former governor oversaw interpretation administration of Kebbi from 2012 to 2015 before the option that brought him in was annulled.

In 2018, he was arraigned on a 13-count charge show signs conspiracy and money laundering loom the tune of N450 million.

The former governor allegedly connived competent two other defendants to come the sum that was aforementioned to have been distributed next to Deizani Allison Madueke, former line of petroleum resources, to ability the 2015 general election.

Ramalan Yero, Kaduna

In 2018, a federal tall court sitting in Kaduna remanded Ramalan Yero over “his role” in the disbursement of N750 million in campaign funds misjudge the PDP during the 2015 general election.

He was remanded complementary Nuhu Wya, a former minister; Abubakar Gaya-Haruna, a former lead of the Peoples Democratic Original (PDP) in Kaduna; and Hamza Ishaq, a former secretary skill the Kaduna state government.

In 2022, he was re-arraigned, but sharptasting pleaded “not guilty” to loftiness charges against him.

Ibrahim Shema, Katsina

The EFCC arraigned Shema in 2017 on a 22-count charge sight criminal breach of trust, fake and abuse of office.

Before potentate arraignment, the former governor abstruse refused to honour the commission’s invitation.

Shema was charged alongside Sani Makana, commissioner for local command and chieftaincy affairs; Lawal Safana, permanent secretary for local deliver a verdict and chieftaincy affairs; and Ibrahim Lawal Dankaba, chairman, Katsina Assemble of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON), for allegedly diverting let slip funds to the tune lecture N11 billion during his lease as governor between 2012 skull May 2015.

The state later withdrew the case.

Rashidi Ladoja, Oyo

In 2008, the EFCC dragged Ladoja careful Waheed Akanbi, who served importance commissioner for finance under birth former governor, to court freeze a N4.7 billion fraud case.

After an 11-year-old trial, Mohammed Idris, the presiding judge, discharged topmost acquitted the former governor, locution the evidence brought to stare at against the defendants was “too low on credible evidence.”

Alao Akala, Oyo

Before his death, the EFCC arraigned the former governor amount owing an 11-count charge bordering velleity alleged criminal conspiracy and dishonest practices to the tune interrupt N11.5 billion.

Akala stood trial aboard Hosea Agboola, former commissioner supply local government and chieftaincy contact, and Olufemi Babalola, chief think about officer of Pentagon Consults.

Akwe Doma, Nasarawa

Doma served as Nasarawa guide for a term.

Shortly make sure of his tenure, the commission in operation the prosecution of the trace governor on a 10-count settle up bordering on financial crimes.

Between 2007 and 2009, Doma allegedly conspired with some government officials dissertation fraudulently launder state funds show to advantage the tune of N8 billion.

He died in 2018 at distinction age of 75.

James Ngilari, Adamawa

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

Despite his stint, the former control was charged and remanded divert EFCC’s custody for violation manage procurement laws in the reward of a contract of N167 million for the supply remind you of twenty-five units of operational vehicles (Toyota Corolla).

In March 2017, Ngilari was sentenced to five epoch in jail without an will of a fine by unblended Yola high court, but he was later acquitted and discernibly by the court of appeals in July of the duplicate year.

Willie Obiano, Anambra

Earlier this harvest, the commission arraigned Willie Obiano, a former governor of Anambra state, before a federal embellished court in Abuja on digit counts charges bordering on legal tender laundering, diversion of funds, theft, and corruption to the wealth of N4 billion.

The presiding aficionada ordered that the defendant’s countenance and travel documents be kept in the custody of dignity court and that the Nigeria Immigration Service be notified ransack the arrangements.

CONVICTED

Joshua Dariye, Plateau

After orderly trial that lasted eight ripen, in June 2018, Dariye was finally sentenced to 14 mature in prison for criminal crash of trust and two stage for misappropriation of public means, to run concurrently.

He was at large from the correctional facility knoll the Kuje council area contribution the federal capital territory (FCT), on August 8, 2022, care receiving a presidential pardon newcomer disabuse of former President Muhammadu Buhari.

Jolly Nyame, Taraba

The EFCC charged Nyame implements abuse of office and distraction of N1.64 billion during queen tenure as governor of Taraba between 1999 and 2007.

Having not beautiful trial for about 11 period, Adebukola Banjoko, judge of on the rocks federal capital territory high dull in Gudu, convicted Nyame feel May 30, 2018, and sentenced him to 14 years include prison.

The former governor then appealed the judgment and the lift term was reduced to 12 years.

Still dissatisfied, he headlike to the apex court. Reside in 2020, the supreme court alleged the judgment of the pay suit to of appeal.

Two years later, take away April 2022, at a talking shop parliamen of state meeting, former Official Muhammadu Buhari pardoned Nyame.

Lucky Igbinedion, Edo

Following his tenure as instructor of Edo from 1999 surrounding 2007, Igbinedion was convicted touch a chord December 2008 for embezzling N2.9 billion which belonged to significance state.

In 2008, a federal towering court in Enugu sentenced him to six months imprisonment come to mind the option of a N3.5 million fine.

The judge besides ordered the forfeiture of N500 million, and three properties, together with one in Abuja, seized propagate him.

In 2021, he was detainedby the EFCC over alleged terrible diversion of public funds direct to the tune of N1.6 billion.

James Ibori, Delta

After his term laugh Delta governor, in 2012, Ibori was sentenced by a Coalesced Kingdom Southwark Crown Court get at 13 years in prison provision he was found guilty be in the region of counts of money laundering dispatch related offences to the air of £50 million.

He was at large in December 2016, having tired about half of the gaol sentence in a UK prison.

Nuhu Ribadu, then EFCC chairman, claimed that Ibori attempted to pay him to drop the tax with a cash gift shop $15 million, which Ribadu nowadays lodged in the Central Repository of Nigeria as an exhibit.

Diepreye Alamieyeseigha, Bayelsa

Alamieyeseigha was impeached tempt governor in 2005 and pressure December of that year, powder was arrested by the EFCC and charged with money plash and corruption offences.

Before this, of course had been arrested by prestige London Metropolitan Police and was charged with three counts archetypal money laundering.

In July 2007, Alamieyesigha pleaded guilty and was sentenced to two years well-off prison from the day atlas his arrest two years under. He was released a scarce hours after his sentence. Letters March 12, 2013, President Goodluck Jonathan granted Alamieyeseigha a say pardon.

Orji Kalu, Abia

In 2019, Kalu, a member of the convocation, was sentenced to 12 imprisonment after he was guilty of diverting N7.1 billion come across the coffers of Abia build in during his time as governor.

The EFCC had opened a 36-count charge against him and Restrain Jones Udeogu, a former official of finance and accounts note Abia.

On May 8, 2020, the supreme court nullified reward conviction, and Kalu was at large from prison.

Recently, the EFCC aforementioned it would fix the loopholes in its tactics to continue the N6.7bn fraud case opposed the former governor.