Seven ex-governors, ministers lead EFCC’s 2024 high-profile prosecutions
EFCC officials
Published By: Kazeem Ugbodaga
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has ramped up its fight against corruption, with seven former governors and ministers topping the list of those under prosecution in 2024.
Hours after the agency re-arraigned former Kwara State Governor, Abdul-Fatah Ahmed, over an alleged N5.78 billion fraud, it was revealed that he is just one of many high-profile figures facing the EFCC’s legal action under the leadership of Ola Olukoyede, appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
From data gathered between October 18, 2023, and October 18, 2024, the EFCC has arrested and is prosecuting several notable figures, including three ex-governors, two former ministers, and other prominent officials for alleged financial misconduct. Among those facing legal battles are:
Yahaya Bello (Kogi State), Willie Obiano (Anambra State), and Darius Ishaku (Taraba State), all of whom are entangled in corruption cases, with accusations of misappropriating 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 battling two separate prosecutions involving 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 brought former ministers under the Buhari and Obasanjo administrations to court:
Saleh Mamman, a former power minister under Buhari, is facing 12-count charges of conspiracy and money laundering, with over N33 billion involved.
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Olu Agunloye, another former power minister, is accused of fraudulent contracts in the Mambilla Power Project, amounting to $6 billion.
Hadi Sirika, Buhari’s ex-aviation minister, is charged alongside his brother for alleged fraud of N5.8 billion.
The EFCC’s efforts are not limited to those already in court. The agency is currently investigating three former ministers, including: Sadiya Umar-Farouk, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, is being probed over the alleged misappropriation of N37 billion.
Betta Edu, former national APC Woman Leader and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, is under investigation for the alleged diversion of N585.2 billion meant for poverty alleviation.
Charles Ugwuh, former Commerce and Industry Minister, and Geoffrey Ekenma are also being investigated for conspiracy and fraud involving N3.6 billion.
The EFCC is also pursuing corruption cases against former heads of key national agencies: Halima Shehu, ex-National Coordinator of the National Social Investment Programme (NISP), is under investigation for N44.8 billion in fraud and Jalal Arabi, former chairman of the National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON), is being probed over financial irregularities involving 25 million Saudi Riyal (N10 billion) linked to private companies during the 2024 Hajj pilgrimage.
