Obasanjo family, Dasuki, Obiano, 58 others linked to $271m US property trail – Investigation

An investigation by the Platform to Protect Whistleblowers in Africa (PPLAAF), in partnership with the Anti-Corruption Data Collective (ACDC), has linked 284 properties in the United States, valued at nearly $271 million, to 61 current and former Nigerian politically exposed persons (PEPs), their families, associates and affiliated entities.

The report, titled Dirty Deeds: How Top Nigerian Officials Bought A Piece Of America, was presented in Abuja on Tuesday by PPLAAF’s Director of Investigation, Sonia Tolley. According to THE WHISTLER, the investigation examined property acquisitions dating back to 1991 and found that 39 of the 61 individuals had previously been publicly accused, indicted or convicted in corruption-related cases.

The report identified property links involving the families of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and former Abia State governor Orji Kalu, as well as former governors Chimaroke Nnamani, Chris Ngige and Willie Obiano. Former ministers Abdulrahman Dambazau and Stella Oduah, former JAMB registrar Lawrence Ojerinde, former pension task force chairman Abdulrasheed Maina and former military officials Sambo Dasuki and Alex Badeh were also among those examined.

PPLAAF said 232 properties worth about $238 million were connected to the 39 individuals previously linked to corruption allegations. It further reported that 230 of the 284 properties, representing about 81 per cent, were acquired without apparent financing, with a combined value of approximately $232 million.

The investigation said 104 properties worth $180 million were allegedly acquired, held or sold through US-incorporated entities linked to Nigerian companies or the officials involved. It also identified 147 properties worth $111 million acquired in the names of officials, their spouses or entities registered in their names.

PPLAAF said the findings could assist Nigerian and US authorities in tracing assets potentially linked to corruption, while stressing that freezing, seizure or recovery would depend on applicable laws and evidence establishing illicit ownership or proceeds.

The organisation called for stronger cooperation between both countries to investigate suspicious property acquisitions and pursue asset recovery where legally justified.