In 2024, some Nigerian politicians were enmeshed in scandals that seemed to have put their careers in a bad light, especially in the face of supporters who had looked up to them.
In this article, Naijaonpoint lists politicians and former government officials who faced dilemmas and made the headlines due to scandals.
1. Yahaya Bello: The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged former Kogi state governor, Yahaya Bello, with 19 counts of alleged money laundering and misappropriation of ₦80.2 billion. Despite attempts to arrest him in April and September 2024, Bello evaded arrest with the alleged assistance of his successor, Usman Ododo, who used his immunity as a sitting governor.
EFCC operatives eventually arrested Bello in November. He was arraigned the following day, and his bail application was filed.
In December, a federal capital territory (FCT) high court in Maitama granted bail to the former presidential aspirant the sum of ₦500 million. He regained freedom after meeting bail conditions.
2. Betta Edu: Barely six months after being appointed the minister of humanitarian affairs and poverty alleviation by President Bola Tinubu, Betta Edu was suspended in January for allegedly diverting huge sums in ministry funds to a personal bank account.
President Tinubu asked the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to conduct a thorough investigation, but Betta denied the allegation.
In April, the EFCC said it recovered ₦30 billion following an investigation into the ministry’s activities, adding that 50 bank accounts were under probe.
In October, Tinubu named Nentawe Yilwatda as Edu’s replacement during a cabinet reshuffle.
3. Franklin Nwadialo: In November, the newly elected Chairman of Ogbaru LGA in Anambra State, Franklin Nwadialo, was arrested in Texas, United States (US), for allegedly running a $3.3 million romance scam.
The US Department of Justice said that Nwadialo is facing a 14-count charge and risks a 20-year sentence if found guilty.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) reportedly arrested the 40-year-old LGA chairman on arrival in Texas.
4. Augustine Nwazunku: In October, a magistrate court in Abakaliki, Ebonyi, remanded a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, Augustine Nwazunku.
Nwazunku was remanded alongside three other suspects over allegations of cultism, impersonation, forgery, and the alleged illegal suspension of Ali Odefa, the national vice-chairman of the PDP (south-east).
5. Auwal Sankara: Jigawa state commissioner of special duties, Auwal Danladi Sankara, was arrested in October.
Hisbah board’s director general (DG), Abba Sufi, stated at the time that Sankara was caught red-handed with the married woman in an uncompleted building.
Governor of Jigawa state, Umar Namadi, suspended Sankara afterwards. However, after a Kano court arraigned him and authorities cleared him, Governor Namadi recalled the commissioner in November.
6. Alex Ikwechegh: In October, the lawmaker representing Aba North South Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Alex Ikwechegh, became a sensation online after assaulting a Bolt driver during the delivery of a package to him at his residence in Maitama, Abuja.
The lawmaker repeatedly slapped and insulted the driver for telling him to come out and get the snail the driver was meant to deliver to him.
In the footage, Ikwechegh insisted that the request was disrespectful given his social status while threatening to make the driver “disappear” without facing any consequences.
Ikwechegh was arrested and arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja and was a ₦500,000 bail.
However, the Bolt driver surprisingly made a U-turn and apologised to the Rep member over the altercation.