In a significant development, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has successfully prosecuted four former governors and two former ministers over the past year, marking a bold step in the fight against corruption under the leadership of Executive Chairman Ola Olukoyede.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Thursday, Olukoyede, represented by Director of Public Affairs Wilson Uwujaren, outlined the commission’s impressive achievements in asset recovery and fraud prevention.
The high-profile defendants include former governors Yahaya Bello of Kogi, Abdulfatah Ahmed of Kwara, Willie Obiano of Anambra, and Darius Ishaku of Taraba, each facing serious allegations involving billions in state funds.
Charges against Bello relate to over N190 billion, while Ishaku is implicated alongside a former official for N27 billion. Ahmed and his former finance commissioner are charged with mismanagement of N10 billion, and Obiano faces accusations of money laundering and theft totaling N4 billion.
The EFCC has also brought charges against former ministers Saleh Mamman and Olu Agunloye for misappropriating funds from the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, amounting to N33.8 billion and $6 billion, respectively. Hadi Sirika is facing two separate cases involving fraud related to N5.8 billion.
Olukoyede revealed ongoing investigations into Betta Edu, the sacked Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, for alleged misconduct, with N30 billion already recovered and 40 associated bank accounts under scrutiny.
In addition to these efforts, the EFCC is actively combating illegal vote trading and has targeted individuals involved in vote-buying during recent elections. Addressing allegations of corruption within the agency, Olukoyede reaffirmed the EFCC’s zero-tolerance stance on bribery, particularly in the case of social media influencer Idris Okuneye, known as Bobrisky.
In the past year, the EFCC has reclaimed assets worth a staggering N248.7 billion, achieved over 35 convictions for financial crimes, and focused on asset repatriation, returning significant sums and properties to various jurisdictions. With a commitment to transparency and accountability, Olukoyede emphasized that the agency remains resolute in its mission to eradicate corruption in Nigeria.
