A series of investigations, prosecutions and forfeiture proceedings involving former top government officials have put hundreds of billions of naira in alleged diverted public funds and assets under scrutiny.
From Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), to Abubakar Malami, former attorney general of the federation, TheCable looks at the ongoing high-profile corruption cases.
Below is a roundup of some ongoing or recently concluded corruption cases.
AHMED IDRIS — N109.5BN ALLEGED DIVERSION
Ahmed Idris, former accountant-general of the federation, was charged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for allegedly diverting about N109.5 billion through fraudulent contracts and other transactions.
The EFCC arrested Idris on May 16, 2022, over alleged diversion of funds and money laundering.
Idris is standing trial on a 14-count charge alongside Geoffrey Akindele, Mohammed Kudu Usman, and a firm — Gezawa Commodity Market and Exchange Limited — before a high court of the federal capital territory (FCT) in Maitama.
He has pleaded not guilty, and the case is still before the court.
SALEH MAMMAN — CONVICTED OVER N33.8BN FRAUD
Saleh Mamman, former minister of power, was recently convicted over the diversion of N33.8 billion linked to the Mambilla hydropower project.
Mamman was convicted on all 12 counts preferred against him by the EFCC.
The court also ordered the forfeiture of properties traced to proceeds of the crime.
The former minister was sentenced to seven years each on 10 counts and handed three years and two years each on counts four and five of the charge.
ABUBAKAR MALAMI — N8.7BN MONEY LAUNDERING, N212BN PROPERTIES UNDER FORFEITURE
The anti-graft agency is prosecuting Malami, his sons, Abdulaziz Malami and Abiru Rahman Malami, and wife, on a 16-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N8,713, 923, 759.49.
In January 2026, the court ordered the interim forfeiture of 57 properties suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities allegedly linked to Malami and two of his sons.
According to the EFCC, the properties are valued at N213,234,120,000.
The defendants deny wrongdoing, and the case is pending before the court.
GODWIN EMEFIELE — N154.39BN ALLEGED FRAUD
The former CBN governor is facing multiple criminal cases over the alleged diversion of N154.39 billion and other offences.
Emefiele has pleaded not guilty to the charges.
In a separate proceeding, a federal high court ordered the final forfeiture of 753 housing units linked to Emefiele to the federal government after the EFCC argued that the estate was acquired with proceeds of unlawful activities.
In 2025, EFCC handed over 753 duplexes linked to Emefiele to the ministry of housing and urban development.
HADI SIRIKA — N8.06BN CONTRACT FRAUD TRIAL
Hadi Sirika, former aviation minister, is standing trial over an alleged N8.06 billion contract fraud involving his daughter, son-in-law and a company allegedly linked to the family.
The EFCC had filed an eight-count charge against Sirika, Ahmad Abubakar, his brother, and Enginos Nigeria Limited, a company owned by Abubakar.
Sirika is alleged to have abused his office by awarding contracts worth N19.4 billion to Enginos Nigeria Limited.
The defendants have denied the allegations.
YAHAYA BELLO — N80.2BN ALLEGED MONEY LAUNDERING
Yahaya Bello, former governor of Kogi, is facing trial over allegations that he diverted about N80.2 billion in public funds while in office.
Bello is facing a 19-count charge of alleged money laundering.
In January, the EFCC tendered fresh bank records in the ongoing trial of Bello.
The ex-governor is standing trial alongside Umar Shuaibu Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, on a 16-count charge bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering involving about N110.4 billion
