A recent investigation has uncovered that approximately 200 Nigerian politicians, security officers, and their families have invested nearly $1 billion in the Dubai property market. The investigation, dubbed “Dubai Unlocked,” was led by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and Economy Post, in collaboration with over 70 media partners.
The investigation revealed that these individuals have acquired a total of 1,600 properties in prime locations in Dubai over the past two decades. The estimated value of these properties is $997.79 million, with Nigerians being the second-largest foreign purchasers of Dubai properties, after India.
Some notable individuals linked to these properties include:
– Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar
– Justice Minister and Attorney General, Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi
– Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai
– Labour Party’s vice-presidential candidate, Yusuf Datti Baba-Ahmed
– Senator and CEO of Capital Oil, Patrick Ifeanyi Uba
The investigation raises concerns about capital flight from Nigeria to Dubai’s real estate market and highlights the need for stricter due diligence measures to prevent the acquisition of properties with illicit funds.
The full list of individuals linked to these properties includes:
– Former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Bafarawa
– Former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi
– Late former police chief, Tafa Balogun
– Former Police Assistant Inspector-General (AIG), Mbu Joseph Mbu
– Amadu Adah Ali, former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)
– Maina Ma Aji Lawan, former governor and senator from Borno State
– Ashe Ahmadu Muazu, wife of a former PDP chairman
– Christabel Bentu, former special assistant to Joshua Dariye, former governor of Plateau State
– Isa Mahmoud Nuhu, senior official of the Nigerian Customs Service (NIS)
– Salisu Abdullahi Yushau, former senior officer of the Nigerian Air Force
– Mohammed Sidi Sani, former director-general of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA)
– Hadiza Ali Sheriff, wife of a former governor of Borno State
– Nenadi Esther Usman, Nigeria’s former finance minister
– Bobboi Bala Kaigama, former president of the Trade Union Congress (TUC)
– Senator Ibrahim Folorunsho Jimoh, representing Ondo South
– Ike Ekweremadu, former Deputy Senate President
– Orji Uzor Kalu, former Governor of Abia State and current senator
– Jeremiah Useni, former military governor of old Bendel State
– Osita Ben Chidoka, former aviation minister
– Olisa Metuh, former PDP spokesman
– Abdulsalami Alhali Abubakar, former head of state
– Hassan Ardo Tukur, former principal secretary to President Goodluck Jonathan
– Adeyemi Sabitun Ikuforiji, former speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly
– Dan Etete (also known as Dauzia Loya Etete), Nigeria’s former petroleum minister
The investigation highlights the need for increased transparency and accountability in the Nigerian political and economic spheres.