The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) announced on Thursday its successful prosecution of four former governors and two former ministers within the past year, marking a significant milestone under Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede’s leadership.
The announcement was made by Wilson Uwujaren, EFCC’s Director of Public Affairs, who outlined the agency’s accomplishments in Abuja.
According to Uwujaren, high-profile figures including former governors Yahaya Bello (Kogi), Abdulfatah Ahmed (Kwara), Willie Obiano (Anambra), and Darius Ishaku (Taraba) face serious allegations of misappropriating billions of state funds.
Specific charges against Bello include fraud involving over N190 billion, while Ishaku, along with a former state official, is charged with embezzling N27 billion. Ahmed and his former finance commissioner face N10 billion in mismanagement charges, and Obiano is being prosecuted for alleged money laundering of N4 billion.
The EFCC also charged former ministers Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye over funds mismanagement related to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, with sums of N33.8 billion and $6 billion reportedly misappropriated, respectively.
Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika is facing separate charges for alleged fraud involving N5.8 billion.
Additionally, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs Betta Edu is under investigation, with the EFCC monitoring 40 accounts and recovering N30 billion.
Olukoyede emphasized the agency’s efforts to combat election-related corruption, with several prosecutions for vote-buying.
The EFCC has also actively pursued cases of illegal mining, resulting in multiple arrests and investigations.
In the past year, the EFCC reported asset recoveries amounting to N248.7 billion in local currency, $105.4 million in foreign currency, and over 35 convictions against currency hoarders.
As part of its commitment to international cooperation, the agency repatriated $180,300 and 53 vehicles to Canada and €5,100 to Spain, while 14 properties were returned to the Enugu State government.
Addressing bribery allegations against social media influencer Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, Olukoyede asserted the EFCC’s zero-tolerance policy for corruption within its ranks and pledged accountability in resolving the case.
In summary, Olukoyede reiterated the EFCC’s dedication to transparency, accountability, and nationwide cooperation to combat corruption and financial crimes.
“From October 2023 to October 2024, the EFCC secured 3,455 convictions across all categories of financial crimes and recovered substantial assets,” he affirmed, highlighting the agency’s continued commitment to upholding the law.