EFCC May Recover Over N123.7bn from Six Buhari Ex-Ministers — Report
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) may recover more than N123.7 billion from six former ministers who served under the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari, if ongoing investigations and trials eventually lead to convictions, THE WHISTLER reports.
According to findings, the anti-graft agency is currently scrutinising the former officials over alleged cases of fraud, money laundering, abuse of office, and diversion of public funds during their time in government between 2015 and 2023.
The affected former ministers include Abubakar Malami (SAN), former Attorney-General of the Federation; Hadi Sirika, former Minister of Aviation; Saleh Mamman, former Minister of Power; Chris Ngige, former Minister of Labour and Employment; Timipre Sylva, former Minister of Petroleum Resources; and Sadiya Umar Farouq, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs.
The development follows renewed public attention on how public funds were managed during the Buhari administration, which had repeatedly pledged to fight corruption as a key policy priority.
While Buhari, during his campaign, famously vowed that “if we don’t kill corruption, corruption will kill Nigeria,” several members of his cabinet have since been linked to high-profile corruption allegations.
Alleged Financial Exposure
An analysis of ongoing cases suggests that about N33.8 billion is linked to the conviction of former Power Minister, Saleh Mamman alone, who has already been sentenced to prison over the diversion of funds meant for major electricity projects.
Former Aviation Minister, Hadi Sirika, is also facing trial over alleged fraudulent contract awards worth about N2.7 billion. He is being prosecuted alongside his daughter and son-in-law over alleged abuse of office and contract manipulation.
Similarly, former Labour Minister, Chris Ngige, is standing trial over allegations bordering on abuse of office and unlawful benefits estimated at N2.26 billion linked to contracts under the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, is also under investigation over alleged illicit financial dealings, property acquisitions, and transactions linked to recovered Abacha loot. Some of his assets, including multiple properties across several states valued at over N213 billion, have already been subjected to interim forfeiture orders by the court.
In addition, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Timipre Sylva, has been declared wanted over alleged involvement in a $14.8 million fraud linked to a refinery project, while Sadiya Umar Farouq is facing allegations of diverting billions of naira from humanitarian intervention funds.
Conviction Already Recorded
One of the cases has already resulted in a conviction, as Saleh Mamman was sentenced to 75 years imprisonment over money laundering and diversion of funds tied to the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric power projects. The court also ordered the recovery of about N22 billion traced to the offences.
Recovery Possibility
With several of the cases still at various stages of prosecution, the EFCC’s final recovery from the affected former ministers could exceed N123.7 billion if courts uphold the allegations and order full forfeiture of assets linked to the charges.
The cases continue to draw national attention as Nigerians await the outcomes of multiple high-profile corruption trials involving former top government officials.
