Nigerian politicians have spent N1.49 trillion buying property in Dubai the commercial nerve centre of the United Arab Emirates.
Investigations by Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) together with more than 70 media partners, including BusinessDay Nigeria, revealed that the list of Nigerian politicians owning property in Dubai doubled from 800 to 1,600 in the last four years.
In terms of value, the report said as of 2020, 800 properties valued at $400 million were traced to Nigerian ‘Political Exposed Persons’ in Dubai but in 2024 it has increased to nearly $1 billion and 1,600 properties.
Quoting Dubai Land Department, the report listed Nigerians as the second highest foreign purchasers of Dubai properties after India.
“BusinessDay’s data analysis showed that aside from PEPs, top security agents, civil servants and people connected in government with their family members own 88 percent of properties ascribed to Nigerians in Dubai.
“The locations are mostly posh areas, including Burj Khalifa, world’s tallest building; Marsa Dubai, Al Merkadh, Palm Jumeirah, Wadi Al Safa, Madinat Al Mataar, and Nad Al Shiba First, among others.”
List of some Nigerian owners
ATIKU ABUBAKAR
A three-bedroom flat estimated at $1.23 million at Palm Tower in Dubai.
ATIKU’S 23-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER
A one-bedroom flat at Trade Centre Second, valued at $104,135. She also owns another two-bedroom flat at Hadaeq Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid estimated at $289,305.75.
LATEEF FAGBEMI
Nigeria’s chief attorney and justice minister owns an $85,846 property at Al Hebiah Third.
NASIR EL-RUFAI
A four-bedroom flat valued at $193,084 at Al Hebiah Third was traced to the former Kaduna Governor.
YUSUF DATTI BABA-AHMED
Eight properties valued at $2.28 million were traced to the running mate to Peter Obi, Labour Party’s Presidential Candidate in the 2023 elections. The properties are located in choice locations such as Burj Khalifa, Al Yelayiss, Al Barsha South Fourth, and Town Square Safi 2.
IFEANYI UBA
A property valued valued at $1.13 million. While eight properties were linked to Uchenna Uba, his wife. The values were not inserted in the files, but one property (a villa) at Wadi Al Safa 7 costs about $1.13 million, while two others are valued at $294, 516 each.
ATTAHIRU BAFARAWA
7 properties valued at $1.48 million, while another real estate asset, located at Palm Jumeirah and valued at $750,112, belongs to his wife.
AHMED MARKAFI
A property at Burj Khalifa valued at $$822,016 was traced to the former Kaduna governor
TAFA BALOGUN
The former Inspector-General of Police, who is now late, was linked with five properties in various locations, including Marsa Dubai. The properties cost more than $1 million.
MBU JOSEPH
A property was traced to the former Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).
NENADI USMAN
One real estate was linked to this Nigeria’s former finance minister.
With Daily Trust reports
