Several efforts are being made to get rid of corruption among public servants and political office holders in the country, especially those who see such positions as a golden opportunity to enrich themselves. Therefore, we shall take a look at some of the past Governors successfully prosecuted by the country’s anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), over their involvement in corrupt practices while in office....CONTINUE READING
Lucky Igbinedion:
Igbinedion who served as the governor of Edo State between 1999-2007 was arrested by the country’s anti graft agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for corrupt practices during his tenure. He was subsequently arraigned in January 2008 alongside his company, Kiva Corporation Limited, reports Guardian Nigeria.
He was accused of embezzlement and misappropriation of public funds to the tune of about 2.9 billion naira. The former Governor pleaded guilty along the line, to one count charge of corruption. He later entered into a plea bargain at the Federal High Court sitting in Enugu State.
In December 2008, he was sentenced to six months jail term, with an option of fine of about 3.5 million naira, according to Reuters. Also, he was ordered by the court, to refund about 500 million and forfeit about three properties, including one in Abuja, as there were termed “proceeds of corruption” by the court.
Late Diepreye Alamieyeseigha:
His problem started when he was arrested at Heathrow airport, UK, in September 2005 on the suspicion of money laundering, his international passport was equally confiscated. He was subsequently charged for money-laundering after the UK police found about £1m in his house in London, and also, a property in his name worth £10m, according to UK Guardian newspaper.
He later jumped bail in UK sometime in November 2005, and allegedly disguised himself as a woman, and returned to the country, forfeiting about £1.25m bail bond in UK. His return was probably to be protected by the immunity he enjoys as a Governor until his tenure expires in 2007.
Unfortunately for him, he was impeached by the Bayelsa State House of Assembly in December 2005 for alleged corrupt practices, and subsequently arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). He was arraigned in court, and on July 26, 2007, he pleaded guilty to the six count charges brought against him, and was subsequently sentenced to two years Imprisonment on each charge. Many of his assets were also forfeited to the Bayelsa State Government on the order of the court, as proceeds of corruption.
Joshua Dariye:
Mr. Joshua Dariye who was the governor of Plateau State between 1999 to 2007 was alleged to have looted about N2billion public funds during his time in office. He was subsequently arrested and prosecuted by EFCC.
He was in June 2018 sentenced to fourteen (14) years Imprisonment by the Abuja division of the Federal High Court, on charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation. Meanwhile, he was still serving as a senator at the time of the sentencing, but he managed to complete his tenure from jail in June 2019, according to Premium Times Nigeria.
He would later approach the Appeal Court to appeal against the judgment, which was eventually reduced to a 10-year jail term on November 16, 2018. He equally took the matter before the supreme Court, and the judgment of the Appeal Court was equally upheld in a verdict delivered in March 2021.
Jolly Nyame:
The former Governor of Taraba State was sentenced to fourteen (14) years jail term in May 2018. He was charged for criminal breach of trust and criminal misappropriation of public funds to the tune of N1.6billion, reports Premium Times.
He equally appealed against the judgment at the Court of Appeal in Abuja, and the jail term was subsequently reduced to 12 years and a fine of one hundred million Naira (N100m) imposed on the former former. However, he approached the supreme Court, in a bid to get a favourable judgment, but he only succeeded in quashing the N100m fine, as the Apex court upheld the 12 years jail term handed down to him.