A staggering ₦2.187 trillion has allegedly been looted, embezzled, and laundered by 58 former governors over the past 25 years since Nigeria’s return to democracy, according to allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
This colossal sum, detailed in EFCC’s allegations against the ex-governors, excludes properties seized worldwide and other assets currently under investigation, valued at billions of naira.
The scale of corruption exposed by the EFCC’s claims is striking, with the looted amount equivalent to the entire 2024 budget of Lagos State (₦2.25 trillion) and the combined budgets of all southeast states (₦2.29 trillion) according to Vanguard.
The N2.2 trillion is several billion higher than the N1.89 trillion and N1.60 trillion 2024 budgets of the entire states in the north-central and northeast.
Among the 58 former governors, drawn from the six regions of the country, some are being probed, while others have been probed, investigated, and prosecuted.
Below is the list of the former governors:
S/N, Names of ex-Governors, States, The amount being probed for
1 . Late Abubakar Audu Kogi ₦10.966bn
2 . TA Orji and sons Abia ₦551bn
3 . Yahaya Bello Kogi ₦80.2 bn
4 . Chimaroke Nnamani Enugu ₦5.3bn
5 . Sullivan Chime Enugu ₦450million
6 . Kayode Fayemi Ekiti ₦4bn
7 . Ayo Fayose Ekiti ₦6.9bn
8. Abdullahi Adamu Nasarawa ₦15bn
9. Danjuma Goje Gombe ₦5bn
10 . Aliyu Wamakko Sokoto ₦15bn
11 . Sule Lamido Jigawa ₦1.35bn
12. Joshua Dariye Plateau ₦1.16bn
13. Timipre Sylva Bayelsa ₦19.2bn
14. Saminu Turaki Jigawa ₦36bn
15 . Orji Uzor Kalu Abia ₦7.6bn
16 . Bello Matawalle Zamfara ₦70bn
17 . Lucky Igbinedion Edo ₦4.5 bn
18. Rabiu Kwankwaso Kano ₦10bn
19. Peter Odili Rivers ₦100bn
20. Jolly Nyame Taraba ₦1.64bn
21. James Ngilari Adamawa N167 m
22. Abdulaziz Yari Zamfara ₦84bn
23. Godswill Akpabio Akwa Ibom ₦100bn
24. Abdul Fatah Ahmed Kwara ₦9bn
25 Ali Mode-Sheriff Borno ₦300bn
26. Willie Obiano Anambra ₦43bn
27. Ibrahim Dankwambo Gombe ₦1.3bn
28. Darius Ishaku Taraba ₦39bn
29. Ramalan Yero Kaduna ₦700m
31. Rochas Okorocha Imo ₦10.8bn
32. James Ibori Delta ₦40 bn
33. DSP Alamieyeseigha Bayelsa ₦2.655bn
34 . Gabriel Suswam Benue ₦3.111bn
35 . Samuel Ortom Benue ₦107bn
36. Murtala Nyako Adamawa ₦29bn
37. Rashid Ladoja Oyo ₦47bn
38. Christopher Alao-Akala Oyo ₦11.5 bn
39. Abdulkadir Kure Niger ₦600m
40. Babangida Aliyu Niger ₦4bn
41. Idris Wada Kogi ₦500m
42 . Ibrahim Shekarau Kano ₦950m
43. Adamu Aliero Kebbi ₦10bn
44. Usman Dakingari and wife Kebbi ₦5.8bn
45 . Attahiru Bafarawa Sokoto ₦19.6bn
46 . Jonah Jang Plateau ₦6.3bn
47. Aliyu Doma Nasarawa ₦8bn
48. Tanko Al’Makura Nasarawa ₦4bn
49. Boni Haruna Adamawa ₦93bn
50. Bindow Jibrila Adamawa ₦62bn
51. Adamu Muazu Bauchi ₦13bn
52 . Isa Yuguda Bauchi ₦212bn
53. Mohammed Abubakar Bauchi ₦8.5bn
Meanwhile, Edwin Clark, the convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), has weighed in on the issue, expressing little surprise at corruption allegations leveled against former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello.
Clark highlighted a pattern of corruption among Nigeria’s political elite, urging the EFCC to revisit “old and pending” corruption cases against former governors and ex-ministers.
In a recent interview with Arise TV, Clark called upon the EFCC chairman to revive corruption cases dating from 2007 to 2023, stressing the need for accountability and justice.
He also criticized the judiciary for delays in adjudicating corruption cases, noting instances where cases have lingered in court for a decade or more without resolution.
