Nigeria’s High-Profile Corruption Cases: Billions in Public Funds at the Centre of Ongoing Trials

Nigeria’s High-Profile Corruption Cases: Billions in Public Funds at the Centre of Ongoing Trials

A wave of high-profile corruption investigations, prosecutions and asset forfeiture proceedings involving former senior government officials has placed hundreds of billions of naira in alleged diverted public funds and assets under judicial scrutiny.

The cases, spearheaded mainly by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), span allegations of money laundering, contract fraud, abuse of office and diversion of public funds. While some defendants have secured convictions, others remain on trial, maintaining their innocence as the courts continue to hear the matters.

Below is a snapshot of some of Nigeria's most prominent corruption cases.

Ahmed Idris — N109.5bn alleged diversion

Ahmed Idris, former accountant-general of the federation, is standing trial over allegations that he diverted about N109.5 billion through fraudulent contracts and other financial transactions.

The EFCC arrested Idris on May 16, 2022, and subsequently arraigned him alongside Geoffrey Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman and Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Maitama on a 14-count charge.

He has pleaded not guilty, and the case remains before the court.

Saleh Mamman — Convicted over N33.8bn fraud

Former Minister of Power, Saleh Mamman, was recently convicted for the diversion of N33.8 billion linked to the Mambilla Hydropower Project.

The court found him guilty on all 12 counts filed by the EFCC, ordered the forfeiture of assets traced to the proceeds of the crime, and sentenced him to seven years' imprisonment on 10 counts, with additional prison terms of three years and two years on the remaining counts.

Abubakar Malami — N8.7bn money laundering case, N213bn assets under forfeiture

Former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, alongside two of his sons and his wife, is facing prosecution over an alleged N8.7 billion money laundering scheme.

In January 2026, a court ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties allegedly linked to Malami and his sons. According to the EFCC, the assets are valued at N213.2 billion and are suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities.

The defendants deny the allegations, and the matter is pending before the court.

Godwin Emefiele — N154.39bn alleged fraud

Former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele is facing multiple criminal charges over the alleged diversion of N154.39 billion and other financial offences.

Emefiele has pleaded not guilty.

In a related civil forfeiture case, a Federal High Court ordered the final forfeiture of 753 housing units linked to the former CBN governor after accepting the EFCC's argument that the estate was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.

The anti-graft agency later handed over the estate to the Federal Ministry of Housing and Urban Development.

Hadi Sirika — N8.06bn contract fraud trial

Former Minister of Aviation Hadi Sirika is on trial over alleged contract fraud involving N8.06 billion.

The EFCC accused Sirika of abusing his office by awarding contracts worth about N19.4 billion to Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly linked to his brother, Ahmad Abubakar.

Sirika, Abubakar and the company have denied the allegations, and the trial is ongoing.

Yahaya Bello — N80.2bn alleged money laundering

Former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello is facing multiple criminal proceedings over alleged diversion of public funds.

In one of the cases, the EFCC accused Bello of laundering about N80.2 billion, while another charge alleges criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving N110.4 billion.

The former governor has denied all allegations. His trial, alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, is continuing before the courts, with the EFCC recently presenting additional banking records as evidence.

Collectively, the cases represent some of the most significant anti-corruption prosecutions in recent years, reflecting the scale of alleged financial misconduct under investigation. While some have resulted in convictions and asset recoveries, most remain before the courts, where the accused are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.