Ex-governors, ministers face legal scrutiny as EFCC resumes abandoned cases

The newly appointed Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Ola Olukoyede, is poised to confront a backlog of twenty-five unresolved cases involving former governors, ministers, and senators.

This development comes after the Senate confirmed Olukoyede as the EFCC Chairman, just four months after the suspension of the former chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Several of these cases, which involve former governors, have languished for years, some still under investigation, and others stuck in a legal quagmire with no resolution in sight.

According to reports from Punch, the cumulative sum in question for these high-profile cases amounts to no less than N772.2 billion and an additional $2.2 billion, believed to be associated with money laundering, fund diversion, and misappropriation.

Notable figures who have been summoned by the EFCC for investigation include the immediate past governor of Ekiti State, Kayode Fayemi; his predecessor, Ayo Fayose; the former governor of Zamfara State and current Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle; and a former governor of Enugu State, Chimaroke Nnamani, among others.

Additionally, unresolved cases within the EFCC involve individuals such as the former National Security Adviser under ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd.); former Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke; and more.

For instance, Fayemi was summoned by the commission in June over allegations of N4 billion misappropriation during his tenure as governor, based on a money laundering petition. Matawalle was under investigation for an alleged N70 billion fraud, amid allegations of a bribery attempt against the former chairman, Abdulrasheed Bawa.

Nnamani had been charged with an alleged N5.3 billion fraud, but the case was dismissed in 2018. The EFCC had expressed its intention to file fresh charges but had not confirmed whether they followed through.

Abdullahi Adamu, a former governor of Nasarawa State, had been accused of N15 billion fraud, with a 149-count charge filed against him and 18 others. However, the current status of these cases remains uncertain.

Rabiu Kwankwaso, the former governor of Kano State, had been interrogated by the EFCC in 2021 over alleged non-remittance of N10 billion pension funds, but the outcome of the investigation remains undisclosed.

The EFCC’s investigation into the finances of Rivers State during the tenure of former Governor Peter Odili has not made substantial progress. Though there was a court injunction preventing the probe, the former acting chairman of the agency, Ibrahim Magu, had indicated the case’s reopening. However, the current status is unknown.

The former governor of Abia State, Theodore Orji, and his sons were probed by the EFCC in 2021 for alleged misappropriation of public funds and money laundering. A previous accusation in 2018 had alleged mismanagement of N27 billion disbursed to the state, but the outcomes of these cases are still pending.

Danjuma Goje, the former Governor of Gombe State, was arraigned in 2011 but later had his case withdrawn by the EFCC. The current status of the case remains unclear.

Aliyu Wammako, former governor of Sokoto State, had been accused of allegedly diverting N15 billion, but he had not been charged to court as of the last update.

Timipre Sylva, a former Bayelsa State Governor and immediate past Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, faced money laundering allegations involving approximately N19.2 billion. Cases were instituted, and some houses were seized, but the status remains uncertain.

Sullivan Chime, a former governor of Enugu State, was accused of mismanaging state resources and receiving funds from a N23 billion fund allegedly shared by Diezani Alison-Madueke. However, updates on this case are lacking.

Sule Lamido, a former governor of Jigawa State, and his sons were facing a Federal High Court trial for alleged N1.35 billion fraud. The current status of the case is unknown.

Murtala Nyako, a former governor of Adamawa State, and eight others were accused of money laundering involving N29 billion. The Court of Appeal ordered the case’s return to the Federal High Court, but the case status remains undisclosed.

Ayodele Fayose, a former Governor of Ekiti State, was accused of N6.9 billion fraud, with the case ongoing in court.

Jonah Jang, a former Governor of Plateau State, faced trial for alleged fraud amounting to N6.3 billion. He was acquitted, but the EFCC planned to appeal the case, with no public knowledge of the appeal status.

Babangida Aliyu, a former governor of Niger State, and two others were accused of diverting N2 billion ecological funds. The EFCC had closed its case, but the current status remains uncertain.

Gabriel Suswam, a former governor of Benue State, faced alleged N3.1 billion money laundering charges, with the trial ongoing in the Federal High Court Abuja.

Ikedi Ohakim, a former Governor of Imo State, was accused of $2.2 million fraud, with the case in court but unresolved.

Lucky Igbinedion, a former Edo State governor, was charged with N1.6 billion fraud, and the case remains pending.

Senator Stella Oduah, a former Minister of Aviation, faced alleged N5 billion fraud charges, with the case ongoing in court.

Moreover, the cases involving Dasuki and Alison-Madueke have not reached conclusion. Dasuki was accused of diverting $2.1 billion arms funds, while Alison-Madueke was alleged to be linked to N47.2 billion and $487.5 million in unaccounted funds.

The current leadership is expected to provide clarity and resolution to these long-standing cases.