Barely three years into President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, several high-profile officials who served under former President Muhammadu Buhari have become the focus of corruption investigations, criminal prosecutions and major asset forfeiture cases, signaling an intensified anti-corruption drive targeting former senior government officials.
Within the last 72 hours alone, two of Buhari’s most influential appointees lost assets worth billions of naira following court judgments in favour of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The latest developments have added to a growing list of former ministers, agency heads and public officials facing legal battles over alleged corruption, abuse of office, contract fraud and money laundering.
Abubakar Malami Loses 48 Properties
On July 15, the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the final forfeiture of 48 properties linked to former Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik ruled that the EFCC had established that the properties were reasonably suspected to be proceeds of unlawful activities and that Malami and 14 other respondents failed to prove they were acquired through legitimate income.
The forfeited assets include Rayhaan University, Rayhaan Radio, hotels, factories, filling stations, commercial plazas, residential estates and hundreds of hectares of land located across Abuja, Kebbi, Kano and Kaduna.
The ruling permanently transferred ownership of the properties to the Federal Government.
Supreme Court Affirms Emefiele Asset Forfeiture
Just two days later, on July 17, the Supreme Court upheld the final forfeiture of assets linked to former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Godwin Emefiele.
The apex court affirmed the seizure of $2.045 million, seven luxury properties and two share certificates, overturning an earlier Court of Appeal decision that had ordered a retrial.
The judgment restored the Federal High Court’s ruling that the assets were reasonably suspected to have been acquired through proceeds of unlawful activities.
The latest decision adds to previous recoveries linked to Emefiele since his suspension and removal from office in June 2023.
Among the most notable recoveries was a December 2024 court order forfeiting an estate containing 753 housing units in Abuja allegedly linked to the former CBN governor.
Sadiya Umar Farouq Faces Criminal Trial
Former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, is also facing prosecution over alleged financial misconduct.
In June 2026, the Federal Capital Territory High Court dismissed her application seeking to overturn a bench warrant issued for her arrest.
Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie ruled that the former minister failed to appear before the court without a valid explanation, allowing the warrant to remain in force.
Farouq is standing trial alongside two other defendants over allegations of criminal conspiracy, abuse of office and the diversion of $1.3 million and ₦746.7 million in public funds.
She has denied all allegations.
Fresh Testimony in Hadi Sirika Trial
The corruption trial involving former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika also gathered momentum in June 2026.
An EFCC investigator told the court that Sirika allegedly arranged for an Ethiopian Airlines aircraft to be temporarily rebranded as Nigeria Air shortly before leaving office to create the impression that Nigeria’s national carrier had commenced operations.
According to the witness, the aircraft remained in Nigeria for only three days before the branding was removed and the plane returned to Ethiopia.
Sirika, alongside his daughter Fatima Sirika, son-in-law Jalal Hamma and their company, is facing charges involving alleged contract fraud worth ₦2.8 billion.
He is also standing trial in a separate case involving his brother over alleged abuse of office and contract fraud amounting to ₦19.4 billion.
All defendants have pleaded not guilty.
EFCC Declares Timipre Sylva Wanted
Former Minister of State for Petroleum Resources Timipre Sylva was declared wanted by the EFCC in November 2025.
The anti-graft agency accused him of conspiracy and dishonest conversion of $14.85 million belonging to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB).
The funds were reportedly earmarked for the Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited project.
A Federal High Court in Lagos had earlier issued a warrant for his arrest.
Sylva has consistently denied the allegations, describing the prosecution as politically motivated.
Chris Ngige Faces Contract Fraud Charges
Former Minister of Labour and Employment Chris Ngige was remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre in December 2025 after being arraigned on an eight-count charge filed by the EFCC.
The charges relate to alleged abuse of office and receiving gifts from contractors linked to the Nigeria Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF) during his tenure between 2015 and 2023.
The alleged contract fraud involves approximately ₦2.2 billion.
Ngige pleaded not guilty and was later granted bail.
Former CCT Chairman Danladi Umar Arraigned
Former Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), Danladi Umar, was arraigned by the EFCC on July 9, 2026, on a four-count charge bordering on abuse of office and alleged contract fraud amounting to ₦15.59 million.
The commission accused Umar of directing contractors handling projects for the tribunal to transfer funds into bank accounts belonging to his wife.
According to the EFCC, one contractor allegedly paid ₦5.5 million into her Keystone Bank account, while another transferred ₦6 million into her Zenith Bank account in connection with separate contracts.
The anti-graft agency argued that the transactions amounted to corrupt self-enrichment contrary to the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act.
Umar pleaded not guilty, was initially remanded at the Kuje Correctional Centre and was subsequently granted bail in the sum of ₦100 million.
Growing Anti-Corruption Campaign
The cases involving Malami, Emefiele, Farouq, Sirika, Sylva, Ngige and Umar represent some of the most prominent corruption proceedings involving officials who served during the Buhari administration.
While the EFCC maintains that the prosecutions are part of ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability and recover public assets, most of the defendants have denied wrongdoing and continue to challenge the allegations in court.
The cases remain at various stages of prosecution, with several expected to continue in the coming months.
