Bola Tinubu has ordered an investigation into allegations of corruption and abuse of office against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, following reports that he allocated Abuja land worth $3.6 billion to his son, Joaquin Wike.
According to State House sources, the directive was given on Thursday night, with details finalised by Friday afternoon.
A presidential aide told Peoples Gazette that Tinubu found the media reports concerning the minister’s actions suspicious and consequently ordered a probe to determine whether Wike had illegally enriched himself through the controversial land allocation.
“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 under anonymity to discuss an investigation.
The official did not immediately say whether anti-graft departments, such as the EFCC and ICPC, would be involved in the inquiry, which could last several months. A spokesman for the SGF George Akume did not immediately return a request seeking comment about the development.
Another source said the probe might not have been announced because the president didn’t want to be seen as being antagonistic towards Mr Wike, who has received recognition for his handling of federal projects across the nation’s capital.
However, anti-corruption activist Lanre Suraju said the probe should be rigorous and transparent to prevent a repeat of the futility that characterised such inquiries in the past.
“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 Wike,” Suraju said of the investigation.
“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.”
