61 Nigerian Officials, $271 Million Hidden In America

61 current and former Nigerian officials, their families and their front companies are sitting on 284 properties across America worth nearly $271 million, and 152 of those properties, about $177 million worth, were bought while these people were still in office collecting salary from our treasury.

The report dropped yesterday in Abuja, put together by PPLAAF and the Anti-Corruption Data Collective, titled "Nigeria: Dirty Deeds — How Top Nigerian Officials Bought a Piece of America." The names on that list are not small boys. Sambo Dasuki, Abdulrasheed Maina, Orji Kalu, Chimaroke Nnamani, Stella Oduah, Alex Badeh, Abdulrahman Dambazau, Chris Ngige, Willie Obiano, Dibu Ojerinde, late Ajibola Ajimobi, Ronald Ewubare. 39 of the 61 have already been publicly accused, indicted or sentenced for corruption. And 230 of the 284 properties, roughly 81 per cent, were bought without any apparent financing. No mortgage. No loan trace. Just cash appearing from nowhere.

So who is suffering? The same person queuing for fuel in Ibadan, the same teacher in Enugu whose salary is still N30,000 something, the same pensioner in Abeokuta waiting for gratuity. Meanwhile 94 properties worth about $135 million were acquired while these officials were still holding office, at the exact moment their access to state resources was highest. The report even said it plain: "In numerous cases, substantial real estate was acquired while officials held public office, at precisely the moment when their access to state resources and influence was greatest." If EFCC and the US authorities already have this document, what exactly are we waiting for before these houses start getting seized?