Former NEMA boss sacked for corruption linked with posh Dubai property

A FORMER Director-General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), Mr Muhammed Sani-Sidi, who was sacked by former President Muhammadu Buhari for corruption, has a property in Dubai valued at $590, 807, Economy Post exclusively gathered.

This investigation came to light as part of a project named ‘Dubai Unlocked,’ which is a six-month investigation into the United Arab Emirates (UAE)’s booming and secretive property market led by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) together with more than 70 media partners. Economy Post is the only Nigerian firm which participated in the project.

It was exclusively gathered that Mr Sidi owns a real estate asset at Marsa Dubai with property number, 292881. Date of purchase of the property was not stated.

Mr Sani-Sidi is now a member of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the APC in June 2025.

During his defection, the ex-NEMA boss said he was motivated by a shared vision of progress and sustainable development.

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“It is with a deep sense of humility, gratitude, and unwavering conviction that I stand before you today to announce my official defection to the APC a party I believe holds the promise of a better Kaduna State and a greater Nigeria,” he said.

Mr Sidi-Sani and 7 of the agency’s directors were sacked by former President Buhari in 2018 for allegedly committing acts of corruption. They were were accused of stealing over N1 billion, $284,000 and £95,000.

The alleged corrupt act

A presidency official under Mr Buhari had alleged that Mr Sani-Sidi maintained 20 different accounts in various banks despite being a public servant.

The official noted that an authoritative report submitted to the presidency by agencies involved in the investigations and activities of the suspended directors had shown clear cases of corruption, abuse of office, and collusion on the part of the NEMA directors, Vanguard reported.

“This is in direct contradiction to the impressions of innocence created last week regarding the seven suspended staff of the agency by the House of Representatives Committee on Emergency and Disaster Preparedness.

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“The indicted officials indeed have genuine cases to answer; actually some of the officers have made confessional statements, while others could simply not explain the money and properties already traced to them.”

“Based on the facts contained in the Posreport, their claim of innocence cannot be substantiated and the presumed understanding they are getting from the House of Representatives is indeed a true reflection of the current state of affairs in Nigeria, where the most corrupt often seek to cover their misdeed by pointing accusing fingers at others.”

Mr Sani-Sidi neither responded to calls nor messages requesting comments.