5 Nigerian Governors Accused of Corruption But Still Free

In Nigeria, corruption allegations are not uncommon especially among the political elite like governors. Yet, what continues to baffle many citizens is how frequently these serious cases fall apart without consequence. 

Despite billions allegedly misappropriated and years of courtroom drama, some former governors accused of looting public funds have managed to sidestep conviction.

They walk free today, some still wielding political influence, others enjoying quiet retirements. Here’s a closer look at some of them and how their cases unraveled without ending in prison time.

Murtala Nyako: A ₦29 Billion Case, But No ClosureMurtala Nyako, the former governor of Adamawa State, and his son Abdulaziz were hit with a 37-count charge by the EFCC, involving ₦29 billion. 

The allegations included money laundering, stealing, abuse of office, and conspiracy with several shell companies allegedly in the mix.

The trial began in 2015, stumbled due to the death of a presiding judge in 2016, resumed in 2021, and by 2024, Nyako and his son had entered not-guilty pleas. Since then? Nothing but silence. 

The case has neither progressed nor concluded. It’s yet another instance where time and perhaps strategy seems to have eroded the momentum for justice.

Sule Lamido: A Technical Error That Killed the CaseSule Lamido governed Jigawa State, one of Nigeria’s poorest, yet was accused of laundering over ₦1.3 billion during his time in office. Alongside his sons, he faced multiple charges filed by the EFCC.

After years of legal back-and-forth, the Court of Appeal tossed the case not because the evidence wasn’t damning, but because the trial was held in Abuja instead of Jigawa. Rather than move the trial to the right court, the case was dismissed entirely. 

The EFCC tried to revive it at the Supreme Court, but the appeal was rejected. Lamido remains untouched and unconvicted.

Danjuma Goje: Political Sacrifice or Legal Strategy?Danjuma Goje’s case was one of the more dramatic ones. Accused of mismanaging ₦25 billion while leading Gombe State, his trial began in 2012. Witnesses testified, documents were presented, and there was even public outrage.

But in 2019, shortly after Goje withdrew from the race for Senate President in favor of President Buhari’s ally, something unexpected happened the EFCC handed the case over to the Attorney-General. 

That office then invoked its powers to withdraw the charges altogether. Just like that, a case that had dragged for years was dropped.

Orji Uzor Kalu: A Conviction Overturned, A Trial That VanishedThe former Abia State governor was actually convicted in 2019 for stealing over ₦7.6 billion. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison. For a moment, it seemed like a landmark win for anti-corruption efforts.

But in 2020, the Supreme Court nullified the verdict. Their reason? The judge who sentenced Kalu had already been elevated to the Court of Appeal before concluding the case making the judgment technically invalid. 

A retrial was ordered, but in 2024, attempts to revive the case hit a dead end due to “missing documents.” Today, Kalu is not only free but still serves as a sitting senator.

Peter Odili: The Man With a Legal ShieldPeter Odili, who governed Rivers State between 1999 and 2007, has long faced serious corruption accusations involving over ₦100 billion. But unlike others, he’s never even stood trial. Why? A 2007 court order stopped the EFCC from investigating or arresting him.

That injunction stood unchallenged for years, essentially shielding him from scrutiny. Though the EFCC recently received permission to try to overturn the order, legal appeals from Rivers State officials have only prolonged the stalemate. For now, Odili remains untouchable.

What do these cases show?In nearly every case, it wasn’t a lack of evidence that saved these governors. It was technicalities jurisdiction issues, procedural errors, withdrawn charges, and delays that stretched over a decade. These gaps in Nigeria’s judicial process leave the door wide open for well-connected politicians to escape accountability.

The real cost of this impunity is public trust. When billions vanish and no one is held responsible, Nigerians grow weary, cynical, and disengaged from the democratic process.

The country’s anti-corruption fight remains alive, but as long as power continues to override prosecution, justice will remain painfully out of reach.