Since the return of democracy in 1999, dozens of Nigerian politicians, including former ministers, governors, senators and federal lawmakers, have been convicted for corruption-related offences, both locally and internationally.
TJ News Nigeria gathered that while many of these cases drew national and global attention, only a few resulted in long-term imprisonment or full recovery of looted funds. In several instances, convicted officials negotiated plea bargains, paid fines, or returned to public life despite criminal records.
Below is a comprehensive, position-based list of prominent Nigerian politicians who have been formally convicted for corruption, backed by judicial rulings and credible public records.
Ministers Convicted for Corruption
Dan Etete – Former Minister of Petroleum (1995–1998)
Convicted by a French court in 2007 for money laundering involving proceeds from the controversial Malabu Oil deal (OPL 245). He was sentenced to three years imprisonment and fined €300,000. Although he later received a pardon in 2014, the conviction remains a landmark case in international anti-graft enforcement involving Nigeria.
House of Representatives
Salisu Buhari – Former Speaker, House of Representatives (1999)
In 1999, Salisu Buhari was convicted for forging university certificates and age declaration to contest elections. He resigned from office and was sentenced to two years imprisonment with an option of fine, which he paid. He was later granted a presidential pardon.
Senators Convicted
Ike Ekweremadu – Deputy Senate President (2007–2019)
In 2023, a UK court (Old Bailey) convicted Senator Ekweremadu under the Modern Slavery Act for attempting to procure an organ for transplant through coercion. He was sentenced to nine years imprisonment in a landmark international case.
Peter Nwaoboshi – Senator, Delta North (2019–2023)
In July 2022, the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal convicted Senator Nwaoboshi for money laundering and fraudulent contract practices. He was sentenced to seven years imprisonment, and efforts to recover embezzled funds are ongoing.
Governors Convicted
James Ibori – Governor, Delta State (1999–2007)
Convicted in the United Kingdom in 2012 for laundering over $250 million in public funds. Ibori was sentenced to 13 years in prison and served part of his sentence before being released in 2016. His case remains one of Nigeria’s most high-profile international corruption scandals.
Joshua Dariye – Governor, Plateau State (1999–2007)
Convicted in 2018 for diverting N1.16 billion in ecological funds. Initially sentenced to 14 years, the Court of Appeal reduced it to 10 years imprisonment. Dariye was later granted presidential clemency in 2022.
Jolly Nyame – Governor, Taraba State (1999–2007)
Found guilty in 2018 of embezzling N1.64 billion from the state treasury. He was sentenced to 14 years imprisonment, which was reduced to 12 years on appeal. He too benefited from a presidential pardon in 2022.
Orji Uzor Kalu – Governor, Abia State (1999–2007)
Convicted in December 2019 for misappropriating N7.65 billion using a company linked to him. He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. However, the Supreme Court nullified the conviction in May 2020 due to procedural irregularities and ordered a retrial.
Others Notable for Corruption Convictions
Mustapha Balogun – Former Inspector General of Police (2002–2005)
Convicted in 2005 after pleading guilty to corruption charges involving N5.7 billion. Under a plea deal, he was sentenced to six months imprisonment and forfeited assets worth billions of naira.
Bode George – Former Chairman, Nigerian Ports Authority
Convicted in 2009 for contract splitting and abuse of office, involving over N84 billion in fraudulent contracts. He was sentenced to two years in prison but later had the conviction overturned by the Supreme Court in 2013.
Cecilia Ibru – Former MD, Oceanic Bank
In 2010, she pleaded guilty to multiple counts of fraud and insider abuse involving over N190 billion. She was sentenced to six months imprisonment and forfeited more than 100 properties and large sums of cash to the federal government.
Erastus Akingbola – Former MD, Intercontinental Bank
Convicted in a UK court in 2012 for fraud and insider trading. He was ordered to repay N164 billion. His Nigerian trial remains open, with the EFCC seeking restitution and final conviction locally.
Summary of Convictions
| Name | Position | Offence | Sentence |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dan Etete | Minister of Petroleum | Money laundering (France) | 3 years + €300k fine (pardoned) |
| Salisu Buhari | Speaker, House of Reps | Certificate forgery | 2 years or fine (pardoned) |
| Ike Ekweremadu | Senator / Deputy Senate President | Organ trafficking (UK) | 9 years |
| Peter Nwaoboshi | Senator, Delta North | Money laundering | 7 years |
| James Ibori | Governor, Delta State | $250m laundering (UK) | 13 years |
| Joshua Dariye | Governor, Plateau State | N1.16bn diversion | 10 years (pardoned) |
| Jolly Nyame | Governor, Taraba State | N1.64bn fraud | 12 years (pardoned) |
| Orji Uzor Kalu | Governor, Abia State | N7.65bn embezzlement | 12 years (nullified) |
| Mustapha Balogun | Inspector General of Police | N5.7bn corruption | 6 months (plea bargain) |
| Bode George | NPA Chairman | Contract abuse | 2 years (later voided) |
| Cecilia Ibru | Bank MD | N190bn fraud | 6 months + forfeiture |
| Erastus Akingbola | Bank MD | Insider trading | Restitution (ongoing case) |
Key Takeaways
- Several convictions were secured in foreign jurisdictions, particularly in the UK and France, highlighting the role of international cooperation in fighting Nigerian corruption.
- Many of the convicted politicians either returned to politics, were pardoned, or had their convictions overturned, raising concerns about the deterrent impact of anti-corruption laws.
- High-profile corruption cases involving current or recently indicted politicians (e.g., former governors, ministers, and federal lawmakers) are still under trial or investigation by the EFCC and ICPC.
This report by TJ News Nigeria provides a factual and position-by-position summary of convicted Nigerian political figures. For updates on ongoing EFCC cases, presidential pardons, or judicial appeals, stay connected.
By TJ News Nigeria Investigative Desk
Published: July 28, 2025
