The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) revealed that ongoing investigations and prosecutions involving 58 former governors across Nigeria, accused of misappropriating a colossal sum of N2.187 trillion over a span of 25 years.
This amount is comparable to the combined 2024 budget of several states in the country, including Lagos State and all South-East states combined.
According to EFCC, these former governors are being scrutinized for various financial crimes, including looting, embezzlement, and money laundering.
A breakdown of the figures reveals the depth of the alleged corruption, with the looted sum overshadowing the annual budgets of entire geopolitical zones such as North-Central and North-East Nigeria.
The EFCC’s scrutiny covers a wide array of former governors from all geopolitical zones of the country, reflecting a nationwide issue of financial mismanagement and corrupt practices.
Some notable mentions in the EFCC’s list include Orji Uzor Kalu, Joshua Dariye, and James Ibori, showcasing the extensive reach of the investigations.
Notably, only four of these many cases have led to convictions, reflecting the complexities and challenges involved in prosecuting high-level corruption in Nigeria.
