Nigeria’s political scene has been marked by numerous scandals, with several high-profile politicians finding themselves on the wrong side of the law.
From corruption and embezzlement to more severe crimes like organ trafficking, these cases shed light on the legal battles that have been faced some of the country’s most influential figures.
Below is a list of notable Nigerian politicians who have spent time in prison, along with the offences that led to their convictions.
1. Olusegun Obasanjo: The former president was imprisoned during former Head Of State, Sani Abacha’s regime for allegedly plotting a coup, though he denied the charges. He was released three years later, after Abacha’s death.
2. James Ibori: The former Governor of Delta State, was convicted in the UK for money laundering, conspiracy to defraud, and obtaining a property transfer by deception. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison and was released after serving part of his sentence. He returned to Nigeria in 2016.
3. Bode George: The People’s Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain in 2009 was convicted for contract splitting worth N84 billion and abuse of office during his tenure at the Nigerian Ports Authority. The former Ondo State military governor was later acquitted by the Supreme Court after serving his two years jail term.
4. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha: The former Governor of Bayelsa State, was in 2007 convicted of money laundering and corruption. He was arrested in the UK but escaped back to Nigeria. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison and was released on health grounds in 2012.
5. Joshua Dariye: The former Governor of Plateau State, was sentenced to prison in 2018 for diverting state funds for personal use. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
6. Orji Uzor Kalu: The former Governor of Abia State, was convicted of embezzling state funds, although his conviction was later nullified on procedural grounds by the Supreme Court. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison but was granted bail in 2020 while his appeal was ongoing.
7. Jolly Nyame: The former Governor of Taraba State, was convicted of misappropriation of state funds and sentenced to 14 years in prison. He was also asked to refund the money he diverted.
8. Ike Ekweremadu: The former Deputy Senate President, was convicted in the UK for organ trafficking. He was sentenced to prison for ten years for conspiring to bring a young man to the UK under false pretences to harvest his kidney for a transplant.
9. James Bala Ngilari: He served as the governor of Adamawa State for seven months until May 2015.
In September 2016, he was convicted of awarding a 167 million Naira ($548,891) contract for 25 vehicles without due process and sentenced to five years in prison. However, the Court of Appeal later acquitted him, overturning the conviction.
