Unlike financial crime cases, many high-profile corruption cases in Nigeria remain in court despite efforts to speed them up.
Some cases have persisted, while others have just begun, raising concerns that not reforming may affect all of them.
Daily Trust claims that Darius Ishaku, Yahaya Bello, Godwin Emefiele, Abba Kyari, Willie Obiano, Chris Ngige, Hadi Sirika, Sule Mamman, Gabriel Suswam, Sambo Dasuki, Stella Oduah, and Abubakar Malami have pending cases.
Darius Ishaku
On September 30, 2024, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned former Taraba State Governor Darius Ishaku in an FCT High Court for allegedly diverting N27bn from the state’s Bureau of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs contingency fund to Worthy Construction Limited.
The trial resumes January 21.
Yahaya Bello
Former Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi State was charged before an FCT High Court on November 27, 2024, on a 16-count money laundering accusation for N110.4bn after a lengthy delay. On December 13, 2024, EFCC filed another 19-count money laundering allegation against Bello in Abuja Federal High Court for N80.2bn.
January 29 and 31 are the case start dates.
753-unit estate seized after Emefiele trial
Many witnesses testified in the FCT High Court trial of former CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele on a 20-count revised allegation of criminal conspiracy, conferring undue advantage, and breach of trust.
EFCC seized 753 Emefiele-related duplexes and apartments on December 2, 2024. After the interim order expired, Justice Jude Onwuegbuzie gave the EFCC ultimate forfeiture of the properties. The anti-corruption bureau reported its biggest recovery since 2004.
It’s anticipated to continue on January 5 and 6.
Abba Kyari
On February 26, a Federal High Court in Abuja is hearing the trial of suspended DCP Abba Kyari for suspected NDLEA narcotics trafficking.
The court rejected his and his brothers’ no-case motion in the assets non-disclosure case.
Willy Obiano
A Federal High Court in Abuja deferred former Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano’s trial for N4bn money laundering indefinitely.
The case was delayed when Justice Ekwo was suspended and replaced by Justice Mohammed Umar. Following this, EFCC counsel S.O. Obila asked the court to postpone the matter so the new judge could familiarize himself with it, per his lead counsel, Sylvanus Tahir (SAN).
News of the ex-governor’s illness-related death overseas spread before the case commenced on November 25, 2025. But he posted footage to dispel death rumors.
Hadi Sirika
Hadi Sirika, former Aviation Minister, is on trial for money laundering and misuse of office through N2.7bn Al Buraq Global Investment Ltd. He was charged with his daughter Fatima Hadi Sirika and son-in-law Hamma Jalal Sule.
After hearing witnesses, Justice Sylvanus Oriji directed parties to prepare and serve written addresses within 14 days.
The case should resume this year.
Sule Mamman
The Federal High Court in Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho, rejected Saleh Mamman’s no-case submission, setting up his defense. EFCC charged him with 12 counts of conspiracy to launder N33.8bn during his tenure.
The case was postponed until February 23.
Gabriel Suswam
After 10 years of administrative and technical delays, Gabriel Suswam’s trial over the alleged N3.1bn diversion of Benue Cement Company (BCC) share earnings through the Benue Investment Company Ltd. reached the defense.
Case is scheduled for January 20.
Sambo Dasuki
A Federal High Court in Abuja is charging former National Security Adviser (NSA) with unlawful firearm ownership, while an FCT High Court is charging him with 32 counts of money laundering for N33.2bn.
Last year, Justice Peter Lifu denied the Department of State Services (DSS)’s request to submit earlier rejected exhibits purportedly obtained from Dasuki’s apartment in 2015 for illegal firearm possession.
The trial should continue this year.
Stella Oduah
On October 12, 2025, the federal government re-arraigned former Minister of Aviation Stella Oduah in Abuja Federal High Court on five counts of conspiracy and advance fee fraud. She faced charges in 2023.
Case adjourned to February 12.
Chris Ngige
In December 2025, former Labour and Employment Minister Chris Ngige was charged with abuse of authority and N2.2bn contract fraud with the National Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF).
His trial should proceed this year.
AB Malami
Last December, former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami (SAN) was arraigned and remanded on 16 money laundering charges. Malami, his son Abdulaziz, and his wife Asabe Bashir of Rahamaniyya Properties Ltd. were accused of conspiring to hide the criminal origin of billions of naira in Abuja, Kebbi, and Kano states.
Expect the bail hearing on January 2.
Lawyers explain corruption delays
Lawyers blame workload and complexities for corruption case delays.
There were not enough judges with specialization in diverse areas of law, according to Deji Ekemgba Esq. Many were assigned over 20 cases per day.
Hameed Ajibola Jimoh Esq. accused lawyers who used technicalities to delay trial while judges let some through despite the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
NBA wants cases resolved quickly
The Nigerian Bar Association’s Anti-Corruption Committee (NBAA-CC) pledged to battle corruption among lawyers in 2026 to restore public trust in the profession.
The committee’s chair, Professor Babafemi Badejo, wrote in a 2026 New Year greeting that while Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts had improved in 2025, they needed more enforcement, openness, and leadership accountability.
The NBAA-CC noted that the NBA National Executive Committee (NEC)’s approval of branch-level anti-corruption committees last year was a landmark achievement because it would decentralize structures to strengthen grassroots advocacy, promote ethical vigilance, and localize the legal profession’s fight against corruption.
Professor Badejo stated, “In a recent press statement issued on the global Anti-Corruption Day, the NBAA-CC notes and agrees entirely with the recent statement on commitment to the Rule of Law as expressed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun Rule of Law is the best anti-corruption tool. However, the NBAA-CC added that Nigeria’s corruption prevents the rule of law.
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