For decades, Nigerians have asked: How can a country so rich remain mired in poverty?” The painful truth lies in systemic corruption—powerful figures diverting national wealth while everyday citizens struggle to survive.…….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
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Billion-Dollar Repatriations and Missing Funds
Diezani Alison-Madueke, former Minister of Petroleum Resources (2010–2015), is accused of looting millions through corrupt oil deals. The U.S. seized a superyacht and properties linked to her corruption, and in January 2025, repatriated $52.88 million in recovered assets to support rural electrification and rule-of-law programs in Nigeria.
In 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) uncovered suspicious activities in the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs. Investigations into COVID-19 funds, World Bank loans, and Abacha loot resulted in the recovery of 32.7 billion naira (~$28.4 million) and $445,000.
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When Politicians Exploit the System
Former House of Representatives member Farouk Lawan led a key fuel subsidy committee but was charged with collecting a $500,000 bribe from oil mogul Femi Otedola to remove his company from the probe. Despite his defense that he sought to expose blackmail, Lawan was convicted and served a five-year prison sentence, being released in October 2024.
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Scandal Among Monarchs and Their Palace Walls
Oba Joseph Olugbenga Oloyede, the Apetu of Ipetumodu, along with Edward Oluwasanmi, pled guilty in the U.S. to conspiring to defraud the CARES Act of $4.2 million in COVID-19 relief funds. A U.S. federal court ordered forfeiture of millions in assets in May 2025.
Desmond Nnamdi Ali, who styled himself a “traditional ruler” in Imo State, was arrested by EFCC in May 2025 for fraud, impersonation, and property theft—most notably defrauding a widow and unlawfully occupying her property in Abuja.
Across the Southwest, multiple monarchs face corruption allegations:
Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ooni of Ife) is tied to a real estate scam involving non-existent apartments sold to investors.
Oba Akin Adeyemo (Ekiti State) faced criminal charges for conspiracy, theft, forgery, and defrauding minor chiefs of over two million naira.
Oba Obateru Akinruntan (Olugbo of Ugbo) came under EFCC scrutiny for suspected money laundering.
Oba Abdulrasheed Akanbi (Oluwo of Iwo) has a murky past—including U.S. deportations for document forgery and fraud.
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The Costs Fall on Citizens
The repercussions of such corruption ripple across society:
Roads remain unbuilt, hospitals underfunded, schools denied infrastructure, while rural communities bear the brunt of high food prices and poor public services.
As citizens suffer, elites live lavishly in private jets, luxury properties, and designer lifestyles—all fueled by pilfered public funds.…….CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
