EFCC targets over N123bn recovery from six ex-Buhari ministers

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is pursuing the recovery of more than N123.7bn from six former ministers who served under late President Muhammadu Buhari, as investigations into alleged corruption and diversion of public funds intensify.

The ministers under scrutiny include Abubakar Malami, Hadi Sirika, Saleh Mamman, Chris Ngige, Timipre Sylva, and Sadiya Umar Farouq.

Findings indicate that the alleged amounts linked to the former officials run into tens of billions of naira, with the EFCC seeking recovery through ongoing prosecutions.

Already, former Power Minister Saleh Mamman has been convicted and sentenced to 75 years’ imprisonment over the diversion of N33.8bn meant for key power projects, including the Mambilla and Zungeru hydroelectric schemes. The court also ordered him to refund N22bn to the Federal Government.

Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika is currently standing trial alongside family members over alleged abuse of office and fraudulent contract awards valued at about N2.7bn, linked to projects including the Katsina Airport initiative. He has pleaded not guilty.

Similarly, former Labour Minister Chris Ngige faces charges of abuse of office and unlawful gratification totalling about N2.26bn, allegedly received from contractors associated with the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund during his tenure. He has also denied the allegations.

Ex-Attorney General Abubakar Malami is under investigation over assets and financial dealings reportedly exceeding N10bn, with additional scrutiny on transactions linked to recovered funds from the late General Sani Abacha. A court has already ordered the interim forfeiture of multiple properties allegedly tied to him and his associates.

Meanwhile, former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva has been declared wanted by the EFCC over an alleged $14.8m (about N21bn) fraud involving funds from the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board.

Also under investigation is former Humanitarian Affairs Minister Sadiya Umar Farouq, who is facing allegations involving over N37bn in social intervention funds, alongside additional claims of diverting foreign currency and naira sums for personal use.

The corruption probes follow sustained public scrutiny of financial management during the Buhari administration between 2015 and 2023. Analysts note that the EFCC’s success in court could lead to the recovery of over N123bn from the affected former ministers.

The anti-graft agency has yet to conclude proceedings in several of the cases, with trials ongoing across different courts.