N248bn Fraud: EFCC Drags 4 Ex-Governors, 2 Ex-Ministers to Court, Details Emerge
- Four former Nigerian governors have landed in serious trouble and are in court with the EFCC
- EFCC said it had secured the convictions of Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra), and Darius Ishaku (Taraba)
- In a statement issued on Thursday, the agency’s director of public affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, added that two former ministers have also been charged to court for serious allegations involving billions
Legit.ng journalist Esther Odili has over two years of experience covering political parties and movements.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday, October 31, announced the successful prosecution of four former governors and two former ministers over the past 12 months under the leadership of its chairman, Ola Olukoyede.
The anti-graft agency said it has recovered over N248 billion in assets while committing to transparency and accountability in combating corruption.
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Yahaya Bello, 3 other former governors charged
During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Olukoyede, represented by the agency’s director of public affairs, Wilson Uwujaren, highlighted the commission’s significant achievements in asset recovery and fraud prevention.
He stated that high-profile figures charged include former governors Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra), and Darius Ishaku (Taraba) for serious allegations involving billions in state funds.
Bello faces charges related to over N190 billion, Ishaku and a former official for N27 billion, Ahmed and his former finance commissioner for mismanagement of N10 billion, and Obiano for money laundering and theft of N4 billion.
He disclosed that the EFCC has also charged former ministers Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye for misappropriating funds from the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project (N33.8 billion and $6 billion, respectively). Hadi Sirika faces two cases, including fraud involving N5.8 billion.
Speaking further, Uwujaren explained that the investigation continues into Betta Edu, the sacked Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, for alleged misconduct, with N30 billion recovered and 40 linked bank accounts under scrutiny.
Olukoyede emphasized that the EFCC is tackling illegal vote trading and has pursued individuals involved in vote-buying during recent elections.
The EFCC announced:
“In Ola Olukoyede’s one year as EFCC Chairman, from October 18, 2023, to October 18, 2024, the Commission has charged four former governors—Yahaya Adoza Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra), and Darius Dickson Ishaku (Taraba)—to court for alleged corruption.
“On former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, when the investigation began, we provided updates on our progress. The Chairman mentioned monitoring over 40 accounts, which takes time to review thoroughly. These matters are ongoing.”
Read more about EFCC here:
- EFCC files fresh charges against ex-Kwara governor, former commissioner, details emerge
- Yahaya Bello: Onanuga explains why police can’t help EFCC to arrest former Kogi governor
- EFCC blows hot as 16 governors approach court to scrap its operations
Lagos Gov Sanwo-Olu says "EFCC is not investigating me"
Earlier, Legit.ng reported that Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, denied the report that his government filed a lawsuit against the EFCC over a planned prosecution after leaving office.
Lawal Pedro, the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, made the clarification in a statement, adding that the EFCC is not investigating the governor.
There was an earlier report that Governor Sanwo-Olu had filed a lawsuit against EFCC harassment before Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of a Federal High Court in Abuja.
Proofread by Kola Muhammed, journalist and copyeditor at Legit.ng
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