Some politicians in Nigeria at one time or the other have been imprisoned for different reasons.
Naturenex understands that, while some were sent to jail for corruption-related offenses, former President, Olusegun Obasanjo was imprisoned for plotting a military coup.
The likes of James Ibori, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha and several others were sent to jail after being convicted of corruption.
Here is a detailed list of Nigerian politicians who have been imprisoned for corruption-related offenses or military actions:
1. Olusegun Obasanjo
– Position: Former President of Nigeria (1999–2007)
Imprisoned for a military coup plot against the government in 1995. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison but was released after about 3 years.
2. James Ibori
– Position: Former Governor of Delta State (1999–2007)
Convicted of money laundering and corruption in the UK in 2012. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison and was released after serving part of his sentence. He returned to Nigeria in 2016.
3. Diepreye Alamieyeseigha
– Position: Former Governor of Bayelsa State (1999–2005)
Convicted of corruption and money laundering by a Federal High Court in Nigeria in 2007. He was sentenced to 13 years in prison and was released on health grounds in 2012.
4. Joshua Dariye
– Position: Former Governor of Plateau State (1999–2007)
Convicted of corruption and misappropriation of funds in 2018. He was sentenced to 14 years in prison.
5. Saminu Turaki
– Position: Former Governor of Jigawa State (1999–2007)
Convicted in 2020 for corruption-related offenses. He was sentenced to 32 years in prison for embezzling state funds.
6. Orji Uzor Kalu
– Position: Former Governor of Abia State (1999–2007)
Convicted in 2019 for corruption and misappropriation of funds. He was sentenced to 12 years in prison but was granted bail in 2020 while his appeal was ongoing.
7. Senator Ike Ekweremadu
– Position: Former Deputy Senate President
Convicted in the UK in 2023 for human trafficking and organ harvesting. He was sentenced to 9 years in prison.
7. Jolly Tavoro Nyame
He is a Nigerian politician who served as the governor of Taraba State from 1999 to 2007
On 30 May 2018, Nyame was convicted by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, under the ruling of Justice Adebukola Banjoko for the charges against him.
He was sentenced to 14 years in prison and was asked to refund the money he diverted.
8. James Bala Ngilari
He was a governor of northeastern Adamawa state for seven months until May 2015. He was convicted of awarding a contract for the procurement of 25 vehicles at a cost of 167 million Naira ($548,891) without following due process.
Ngilari was found guilty of five of the 17 charges levelled against him in September 2016 by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was sentenced to 5 years with no option in fine.
His conviction was shortlived because was later acquitted and freed by the Court of Appeal.
