State governors are among the most powerful politicians in Nigeria, wielding influence over national policy and in some cases controlling budgets larger than small African nations. Corruption in Nigeria  is cited by analysts as one of the biggest brakes on growth in sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest economy.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission said it arrested on Thursday former governors Gbenga Daniels of Ogun State, Adebayo Ala-Akala of Oyo state and Aliyu Akwe Doma of Nassarawa State on allegations of “abuse of office and fraud.”