This archive report was first published on 24 December 2019.
President Muhammadu Buhari's anti-corruption drive in Nigeria has gained momentum, with several high-profile arrests and asset forfeitures in recent weeks.
On December 19, 2019, former Justice Minister Mohammed Adoke was apprehended by Interpol in Dubai and deported back to Nigeria, where he is expected to face questioning over his alleged involvement in a $1.06 billion oil blocks scandal.
The scandal, which dates back to 2013, involves the grant of Malabu Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL 245) to Malabu Oil and Gas, a company linked to former petroleum Minister Dan Etete and Aliyu Abubakar. The company allegedly received the money from Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company, Nigeria Agip Exploration Limited, and ENI SPA.
According to reports, part of the money, $2.3 million, was paid to a foreign exchange bureau and quickly converted into local currency on the instruction of Adoke.
Adoke is also facing charges related to a $9.6 billion judgment award against Nigeria by Process and Industrial Developments (P&ID) in London.
Meanwhile, the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) has secured a forfeiture order against 25 properties owned by individuals and companies that have failed to pay taxes to the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS). The properties, valued at over $24 million, include those owned by the Shehu Yar'Adua Foundation.
The owners of the properties have denied any wrongdoing and claimed that they do not own the properties. However, the ICPC has maintained that the properties are subject to forfeiture due to the tax defaults.
As part of the anti-corruption drive, three former governors have already been jailed for corruption, while 22 others are under investigation by the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) and ICPC.
