Nigerian Politicians, Security Officers Own $1bn Properties in Dubai: Investigation Uncovers Massive Asset Accumulation
A groundbreaking investigation has revealed a staggering truth: over 200 Nigerian politicians, security officers, and their family members have acquired properties worth nearly $1 billion in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The probe, led by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP), has exposed a vast network of asset accumulation, raising questions about the sources of funding and the implications for Nigeria’s economy.
The investigation found that these individuals have invested in over 1,600 properties in posh areas of Dubai, including Burj Khalifa, Palm Jumeirah, and Marsa Dubai. The properties range from luxurious apartments to lavish villas, with values ranging from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars.
The list of property owners includes prominent names such as:
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HADIZA ALI SHERIFF
A Marsa Dubai property valued at $3.093 million was linked to the wife of the former Borno State governor.
NENADI USMAN
One real estate was linked to Nigeria’s former finance minister.
BOBBOI KAIGAMA
A property was traced to this Labour leader who was the Trade Union Congress (TUC) president.
JIMOH IBRAHIM
7 properties were linked to the senator representing Ondo South.
IKE EKWEREMADU
Five properties were traced to Ike Ekweremadu, former deputy Senate president, who is serving a jail term in the United Kingdom.
ORJI UZOR KALU
One property was traced to the former Abia State governor who is now a senator.
JEREMIAH USENI
One property was traced to the former military governor of old Bendel State.
OSITA CHIDOKA
A real estate estimated at $101,793.37 at Jabal Ali First was traced to this former aviation minister.
OLISA METUH
Another real estate asset was linked to Olisa Metuh, the former PDP spokesman.
ABDULSALAMI ABUBAKAR
A property at Marsa Dubai is said to be owned by Nigeria’s former head of state.
HASSAN ARDO TUKUR
A property valued at $1.025 million is reportedly owned by a former principal secretary to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan.
ADEYEMI IKUFORIJI
A property at Marsa Dubai was traced to this former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly.
DAN ETETE
Another property is said to be owned by Dan Etete (Dauzia Loya Etete), Nigeria’s former petroleum minister.
While the investigation does not provide evidence that the individuals acquired the properties with stolen or public funds, it raises concerns about the potential for corruption and money laundering. The sheer scale of asset accumulation by Nigerian politicians and security officers in Dubai has sparked outrage and calls for investigation into the sources of funding.
The Nigerian government has promised to look into the matter and take appropriate action. The investigation’s findings have also prompted demands for greater transparency in asset declaration and stricter regulations on foreign asset acquisition by public officials.
As the investigation continues to unfold, Nigerians are left wondering how their country’s wealth is being spent on luxury properties abroad while many citizens struggle with poverty and economic hardship at home.
