President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has launched an official investigation into alleged corruption and abuse of office by the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following reports that he allocated billions of naira worth of Abuja land to his son, Joaquin.
According to sources at the State House, Mr. Tinubu gave the directive on Thursday night, although final arrangements for the probe were concluded on Friday afternoon.
“The president agreed that the minister’s activity as reported in the media was suspicious and ordered a probe to determine if he had illegally enriched himself,” a presidential aide told DAILY GAZETTE by telephone Friday afternoon.
The probe will be coordinated by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), the official disclosed.
“The SGF’s office would be coordinating the probe, and we encourage anyone who may have seen any wrongdoing in government to always bring such to the attention of the administration,” the official added, requesting anonymity to speak about the matter.
It remains unclear whether Nigeria’s major anti-corruption bodies, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), will be involved. A request for comment sent to the SGF, George Akume, had not been answered as of press time.
Insiders also noted that the probe has not yet been publicly announced because the president is treading carefully to avoid appearing confrontational toward Mr. Wike, who has received praise for his performance in managing federal projects in Abuja.
Nonetheless, prominent anti-corruption campaigner Lanre Suraju has called for a thorough and open process.
“That is most astonishing, but we need to be careful, going by past experiences of camaraderie and solidarity in public office and the president’s several public praises of Mr Wike,” Suraju said.
“Such panels need to make public their process and involve the services of seasoned investigators from law enforcement agencies in conducting investigations, including forensic and CAC registry analysis.”
It was earlier reported that Mr. Wike allocated about 2,082 hectares of land, prime property in Maitama and Asokoro districts, in the name of his son, Joaquin.
Experts estimate the real estate to be worth more than $3.6 billion.
After public backlash, Mr. Wike responded by claiming the land was allocated to Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd strictly for agricultural purposes.
However, he did not clarify that the company is linked to his son.
In his defense, Wike maintained that his actions were legal.
The minister also stated that no laws barred him from granting land rights to his family members.
However, this stance appears to be in conflict with Nigeria’s Constitution.
Article 5 of the Fifth Schedule clearly forbids public officials from using their position for personal enrichment.
When asked whether Mr. Wike would cooperate with the investigation, his spokesperson declined to comment.
