Allegedly, a total of ₦2.187 trillion has been embezzled, laundered, and looted by at least 58 former governors over the span of 25 years since Nigeria returned to democracy.
These allegations stem from investigations conducted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against the former governors.
The alleged looting, embezzlement, and laundering by no fewer than 58 former governors amount to a staggering ₦2.187 trillion over the course of 25 years since the restoration of democracy in Nigeria.
This figure, based on allegations by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), does not include properties seized worldwide and others currently under investigation, which are worth billions of naira.
To put this sum into perspective, it surpasses the budgets of various Nigerian states. For instance, it exceeds the 2024 budget of Lagos state (N2.25 trillion) and the combined budgets of all the southeast states (N2.29 trillion).
Additionally, it exceeds the budgets of the entire states in the north-central and northeast, which stand at N1.89 trillion and N1.60 trillion, respectively.
The list of the 58 former governors, spanning all six regions of the country, includes individuals who are either currently under investigation, being probed, or have been investigated and prosecuted for alleged financial misconduct.
| 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 |
In response to the corruption allegations against former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State, Edwin Clark, the convener of the Pan Niger Delta Forum (PANDEF), expressed little surprise, noting that Bello’s actions mirrored those of his predecessors who have faced similar accusations of corruption and financial mismanagement.
Clark urged the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to reexamine “old and pending” corruption cases involving former governors and ex-ministers. He specifically called on EFCC Chairman Ola Olukoyede to revive corruption cases dating from 2007 to 2023.
During a conversation with Arise TV, Clark also criticized the judiciary for prolonged delays in trying corruption cases, citing instances where cases have remained in court for 10 to 15 years without resolution.