In the Nigerian capital of Abuja, Over the course of 25 years, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has levelled accusations against 58 former governors of Nigeria, claiming they were involved in a variety of instances involving the theft, embezzlement, laundering, or misappropriation of a staggering N2.187 trillion.
The overall value could be higher if other assets under investigation or confiscated properties around the world are included, which this figure does not, according to EFCC sources. It is said that the total amount of N2.2 trillion that was embezzled is equivalent to 2.25 trillion Naira (the combined budget of all South-East states for 2024), 2.29 trillion Naira (the budget of the North-Central states), and 1.60 trillion Naira (the budget of the North-East).
There is a national problem with the alleged financial malpractices of these former governors, who come from all parts of the country. With the restoration of civilian rule on May 29, 1999, a grand total of 170 governors have presided over Nigeria's 36 states. This enormous figure shows the magnitude of the change in leadership within a short period of time. There has been a lot of change in leadership in certain areas when looking at the governors by state.
Among the states in Nigeria, Ekiti State has the most number of governors in the same time span, at eight, while having one of the lowest populations. At the same time, the number of governors in Lagos State, a major economic centre in the country, has remained constant at four. Of these governors, 18 were in a temporary position or had their terms ended by judicial action; the other 36 are still in office and hold a variety of positions. A total of 114 governors served for one or two terms, which is the majority. Nearly half (58 out of134) of the country's previous governors are fighting claims of financial wrongdoing in court.
Chief Lucky Igbinedion of Edo State, the late DSP Alamieyeseigha of Bayelsa State, Jolly Nyame of Taraba State, and Joshua Dariye of Plateau State are the only four of these former governors to have been convicted thus far. Interestingly, out of 6,981 persons convicted by the EFCC between 2020 and 2022, not a single one was a former governor, despite the commission's considerable efforts to prosecute financial crimes. The difficulties of prosecuting high-profile cases and the difficulties of bringing powerful people to justice are brought to light by this. Numerous ex-governors have been the focus of EFCC investigations, which have allegedly involved sums between hundreds of millions and billions of Naira.
Allegations have been levelled against prominent personalities including Orji Uzor Kalu, Ayo Fayose, Peter Odili, and Kayode Fayemi. The EFCC has reopened or continued some cases, while others have ended in dismissals or acquittals as a consequence of insufficient prosecution.
The EFCC seems hell-bent on seeking justice and bringing individuals responsible for financial misbehaviour to account, regardless of denials of guilt or accusations of political witch-hunts. With the investigations ongoing, the country is closely observing if these accusations will result in additional convictions or if they will add another layer of complexity to Nigeria's already convoluted political scene.