Who is Sarah Ochekpe, The Ex-minister Sentenced To Six Years Imprisonment

Sarah Ochekpe is a Nigerian politician and a former minister of water resources under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration. She was recently in the news after she was sentenced to six years imprisonment by a federal high court in Plateau state for corruption charges.

She was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2018 alongside Raymond Dabo, former acting PDP chairman in Plateau, and Leo Jatau, coordinator of the Goodluck Johnathan campaign in the state for allegedly collecting N450 million from Diezani Alison-Madueke, former petroleum resources minister, in 2015.

They were alleged to have received N450million from Alison-Madueke to influence the electorate and the outcome of the 2015 presidential election. Investigations also showed that they received the money at the headquarters of Fidelity Bank Plc used its state branches to distribute the election loot to different individuals.

Sarah Ochekpe’s Biography

Sarah Ochekpe was born on October 4, 1961, to the family of Ali Reng Madugben in Foron, a district of Barikin Ladi Local government area of Plateau State. She had her first degree in political science from Ahmadu Bello University, then a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Jos.

She also has post-graduate qualifications from Aberdeen College of Commerce and the Nigerian Institute of Journalism She is married to Professor Nelson Ochekpe, a professor of pharmaceutical chemistry and deputy vice-chancellor at the University of Jos.

Political Career

Prior to her appointment as the minister of water resources Under Goodluck Jonathan’s administration, Sarah  Ochekpe occupied several directorial roles in the National Orientation Agency (Nigeria), where she was responsible for communicating government policy, staying abreast of public opinion, and promoting patriotism, national unity, and development of Nigerian society.

During her time in government, she is noted to have increased the level of accessible water for Nigerians to 70%, and created and rehabilitated artificial waterways that reduced flooding and alleviated unemployment.