The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has reopened money laundering cases against 13 former governors and some former ministers, involving amounts exceeding N853.8bn.
Investigations disclosed that the high-profile cases, including allegations of looting N772.2bn, are ongoing, with an additional focus on the alleged N81.6bn misappropriated in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation.
Furthermore, recent allegations suggest that $2.2bn was diverted through money laundering, fund diversion, and misappropriation, implicating figures such as Sambo Dasuki, Raymond Dokpesi, Attahiru Bafarawa, and Bashir Yuguda. The funds, initially designated for arms procurement in counterterrorism efforts, were allegedly laundered and misused.
Former governors and ministers facing scrutiny include Kayode Fayemi, Ayo Fayose, Bello Matawalle, Chimaroke Nnamani, Sullivan Chime, Abdullahi Adamu, Rabiu Kwankwaso, Peter Odili, Theodore Orji, Danjuma Goje, Aliyu Wamako, Timipre Sylva, and Sule Lamido.
The charges against Matawalle, currently the Minister of Defence, involve an alleged N70bn money laundering scheme. Fayemi is under investigation for an alleged N4bn fraud, Fayose for an alleged N6.9bn fraud, Nnamani for an alleged N5.3bn fraud, Chime for an alleged N450m campaign fraud, Adamu for an alleged N15bn fraud, Kwankwaso for non-remittance of N10bn pension fund, Orji for alleged N551bn money laundering, and Odili for an alleged N100bn fraud.
Additionally, the EFCC is probing Diezani Alison-Madueke for multiple alleged money laundering cases involving significant sums in both naira and dollars. Recent developments indicate a review of high-profile cases by EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede, who has emphasized unbiased treatment of all individuals, regardless of their social or political status.
The commission has also initiated probes into former ministers Olu Agunloye and Sadiya Umar-Farouk, accusing them of an alleged $6bn fraud on the Mambilla Power Project and an alleged N37.1bn fraud, respectively.
Furthermore, the suspended Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Betta Edu, and the Coordinator of the suspended National Social Investment Programme Agency, Halima Shehu, are reportedly under investigation for an alleged N81.6bn fraud in the ministry.
Olukoyede has affirmed that all high-profile cases will be revisited, asserting the commission’s commitment to pursuing corruption cases involving former and current public officials.
