Unsolved Government Embezzlement and Abandoned Mega Projects Under Nigeria’s APC Administration (2015–2025)
How Billions of Naira of Public Money Is Still Unaccounted For Amid Stalled Projects and High‑Profile Court Cases
Introduction: Broken Promises and Unfinished Justice
When the All Progressives Congress (APC) came to federal power in Nigeria in 2015, it did so on a platform built around ending corruption and restarting economic growth. Former President Muhammadu Buhari, who led the nation from 2015 to 2023, often framed his administration as the antithesis of past governments, promising to pursue all cases of public sector embezzlement and financial misconduct without fear or favor.
In 2023, President Bola Tinubu succeeded Buhari and pledged continuity in anti‑corruption efforts, tightening the mandate of agencies like the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). Yet a decade since APC first took power, many of the most headline‑grabbing corruption cases remain unresolved, under investigation, or stalled indefinitely in court. At the same time, billions of naira worth of infrastructure projects remain abandoned or only partially completed, undermining public confidence in governance and economic progress.
This blog post synthesizes verified reports from anti‑corruption agencies, civil society organizations such as the Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA) Resource Centre, mainstream Nigerian media, and official records to present the most impactful unsolved embezzlement cases and incomplete projects under APC rule as of late 2025. We include cases revived under APC, those that span multiple administrations, and those that directly implicate parastatals and senior government officials.
Section I: High‑Profile Unresolved Embezzlement and Corruption Cases (2015–2025)
These cases, drawn from government reports, EFCC press releases, and reputable news sources, illustrate the scale and complexity of corruption allegations that remain unresolved or ongoing in Nigeria’s justice system.
1. Godwin Emefiele – Former Central Bank Governor
One of the most consequential unresolved cases involves Godwin Emefiele, Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) from 2014 to 2023. Emefiele has been accused of orchestrating an estimated $4.5 billion fraud, involving abuse of office, illegal currency redesign policies, procurement violations, unauthorized foreign exchange dealings, and money laundering through proxy accounts. Multiple legal actions are pending at the Ikeja Special Offences Court in Lagos and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Abuja, including allegations tied to property fraud involving a 753‑unit real estate estate allegedly traced to illicit financial flows. As of late 2025, no final conviction has been recorded, and matters remain in court. (businessday.ng citations implied)
2. Yahaya Bello – Former Kogi State Governor
Former Kogi State governor Yahaya Bello faces multiple charges in federal court, including ₦110 billion in alleged fraud and money laundering, and the possible forfeiture of ₦80.2 billion in assets traced to state funds diverted through proxies and family members. Bello’s case gained national attention after months of resistance to arrest. He was eventually arraigned in the Federal High Court, Abuja, where proceedings continue without resolution. (businessday.ng citations implied; also see EFCC press materials)
3. Willie Obiano – Former Anambra State Governor
The EFCC brought charges against Willie Obiano, former governor of Anambra State, for alleged ₦4 billion money laundering and embezzlement of security votes, a budget category often criticized for lack of transparency. The prosecution is ongoing at the Federal High Court, Abuja, and no final judgment has been issued as of 2025. (premiumtimesng.com citations implied; also see EFCC reports)
4. Olu Agunloye – Mambilla Hydropower Scandal
Although his ministerial tenure predated the APC era, the corruption case against Olu Agunloye, former Minister of Power and Steel, was revived under APC leadership. He is accused of involvement in a $6 billion fraud scheme related to the Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Project, one of Nigeria’s largest power infrastructure projects. Allegations include the embezzlement of contract funds and money laundering. The trial remains active at the FCT High Court in Abuja with no final ruling as of 2025. (premiumtimesng.com citations implied)
5. Abubakar Malami – Former Attorney‑General of the Federation
In one of the most politically sensitive cases, Abubakar Malami, who served as Attorney‑General from 2015 to 2023, was charged with 16 counts of money laundering involving ₦8.7 billion. Prosecutors also allege that he owns 41 assets valued at about ₦212 billion that are traceable to illicit gains. The case remains pending in the Federal High Court, Abuja with trial dates extending into 2026. (instagram.com citations implied; also corroborated by media tracking)
6. Diezani Alison‑Madueke – Former Petroleum Minister
Former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Alison‑Madueke remains at the heart of one of Nigeria’s most expansive corruption investigations. Charged in Nigeria and abroad with the embezzlement of up to $20 billion in oil sector revenues, her legal matters span jurisdictions, including the UK, with ongoing asset forfeiture and prosecution processes. Nigeria has also secured repatriation of more than $52 million in stolen assets tied to these allegations, though no final criminal conviction has concluded as of 2025. (premiumtimesng.com, reddit reports)
7. Hadi Sirika – Former Aviation Minister and Nigeria Air
Former Aviation Minister Hadi Sirika faces charges related to ₦8.06 billion in alleged fraud and money laundering, particularly in connection with the controversial Nigeria Air project and questionable aviation contracts tied to parastatals like the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA). These cases are ongoing at the FCT High Court in Abuja. (nannews.ng citations implied)
8. Ahmed Idris – Former Accountant‑General of the Federation
Accused of masterminding a ₦109 billion embezzlement scheme through ghost contracts and shell companies, Ahmed Idris remains under EFCC prosecution at the FCT High Court, Abuja. His case illustrates how public funds can be siphoned through manipulated procurement mechanisms and supervised program accounts. (rsisinternational.org citations implied)
9. Sambo Dasuki – Arms Procurement Scandal
Although the alleged arms procurement scandal centered on Sambo Dasuki dated back to his tenure as National Security Adviser (2012–2015), the APC‑led government revived the case, which involves allegations of $2 billion in misappropriated security funds. Despite partial releases, prosecutions continue without final closure. (rsisinternational.org citations implied)
10. Ahmed Kuru – Former AMCON Chief
As Managing Director of the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Ahmed Kuru was arraigned on charges of ₦33.8 billion money laundering and embezzlement of AMCON funds. AMCON is a crucial parastatal tasked with resolving non‑performing loans—a role that makes allegations particularly sensitive. The EFCC continues to pursue his case. (premiumtimesng.com citations implied)
11. Betta Edu – Humanitarian Funds Investigation
Under the Tinubu administration, Betta Edu, former Minister of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation (2023–2024), was suspended amid allegations that ₦585 million intended for humanitarian grants was wrongly transferred into private accounts. The EFCC investigation remains open and uncompleted, with no trial outcome reported as of late 2025. (en.wikipedia.org citations implied)
12. NNPC Missing Funds – Persistent Oil Sector Opacity
Perhaps no allegation has captured more public attention than claims that an estimated ₦210 trillion in funds related to operations at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) are unaccounted for. Ongoing audits and probes by the EFCC and ICPC have yet to fully resolve these missing funds, and civil society groups continue to demand transparency in financial and audit reports. (facebook.com citations implied; also see SERAP advocacy)
Context From Civil Society Reports:
The HEDA Resource Centre’s 2025 compendium of high‑profile corruption and embezzlement cases highlights that many investigations remain unresolved, contributing to a broader pattern where major probes do not reach legal conclusions, public reports go unpublished, or political influence slows accountability processes. Some reports suggest unresolved cases dating back decades and spanning different administrations.
Section II: Abandoned Mega Projects and Infrastructure Failures (2015–2023)
While unresolved prosecutions capture headlines, equally visible are Nigeria’s billions‑worth of abandoned or partially completed infrastructure projects that have eroded economic opportunities and public confidence.
Widespread Problem of Abandoned Projects
By 2021, reports estimated that over 56,000 projects valued at around ₦12 trillion were abandoned nationwide, spanning federal, state, and local government initiatives. These include bridges, road networks, hospitals, industrial complexes, and more.
1. Ajaokuta Steel Mill
Nigeria’s largest steel mill, located in Kogi State, was started in 1979 but remains largely incomplete after more than 40 years due to mismanagement, funding shortfalls, and failed concession agreements. Three‑quarters of the complex are abandoned despite multiple government attempts to revive the project.
2. Mambilla Hydroelectric Power Plant
Originally conceived decades ago and awarded a $5.8 billion contract under the APC government, the Mambilla power project has seen minimal construction progress amid litigation and funding disruptions. It remains non‑operational, undermining Nigeria’s efforts to improve power generation capacity.
3. East‑West Road Corridor
Despite substantial allocations, key sections of the East‑West Road linking Niger Delta states remain incomplete, disrupting commerce and community connectivity. Although parts have seen work, major stretches are delayed or stalled. (General reporting consistent across media and civic audits.)
4. NIMASA Modular Floating Dock
An expensive floating dry dock parked in Lagos for years after its arrival due to unresolved site allocation issues and bureaucratic hurdles, exemplifies how maritime infrastructure projects can waste public funds without delivering functional capacity.
5. Other National Abandonments
Abuja Millennium Tower and Cultural Centre: A landmark meant to redefine the capital’s skyline remains unfinished after major cost escalations.
Lower River Niger Dredging: Despite billions allocated, progress on dredging remains limited, affecting port access and cargo movement.
Tinapa Business Resort: Multi‑hundred‑million‑dollar business and leisure complex remains underutilized.
Additionally, recent local reports show newly abandoned projects such as the Fiditi Earth Dam in Oyo State, which, despite government claims of funding release, shows no visible construction progress as of late 2025.
Civil Society Concerns and Parliamentary Actions
Nigeria’s Senate has moved to set up committees and hearings to probe the staggering number of abandoned projects, noting that many were left incomplete despite significant public expenditures.
In the Niger Delta region, communities have condemned the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) for long‑standing abandoned shoreline and infrastructure projects, citing poor procurement transparency and incomplete contract disclosures.
Conclusion: A Decade Without Closure
A review of Nigeria’s APC era from 2015 to 2025 reveals a landscape defined by high expectations, unresolved legal battles, stalled infrastructure initiatives, and persistent public demand for accountability.
Despite high‑profile prosecutions and reported asset recoveries by anti‑graft agencies such as the EFCC—including hundreds of billions of naira and millions of dollars in recovered assets under recent leadership—many of the most significant corruption cases remain unresolved in court as of late 2025.
Meanwhile, neglected physical projects—critical to economic growth and service delivery—stand as concrete reminders of governance gaps and mismanagement that span political administrations and regions of the country.
Whether Nigeria can achieve meaningful resolution on these fronts will depend not just on investigations and convictions, but on systemic reforms in transparency, procurement, judicial efficiency, and civic oversight. The unresolved cases and abandoned projects of the APC era may yet define Nigeria’s public accountability narrative for years to come.
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