President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has ordered an official investigation into Abuja Minister Nyesom Wike following reports of a controversial land allocation allegedly made to his son, Joaquin Wike.
According to senior sources at the State House, the president issued the directive on Thursday night, though key details of the investigation were finalized by Friday afternoon.
“The president found the media reports concerning the minister’s conduct troubling and approved an inquiry to determine if there was any abuse of office or illegal enrichment,” a presidential aide told The Peoples Gazette on Friday.
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SGF to Lead the Probe
The investigation will be coordinated by the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), though it remains unclear whether federal anti-corruption agencies such as the EFCC or ICPC will be directly involved.
A spokesperson for SGF George Akume did not respond to requests for comment as of press time.
One source familiar with the situation noted that the presidency has been cautious in handling the matter, possibly to avoid the perception of hostility toward Wike, who has earned public praise for his oversight of infrastructure and federal projects in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
ALSO READ: Wike Denies Alleged Allocation of 2,000 Hectares to Son in Abuja
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Activists Demand Transparency
Anti-corruption advocate Lanre Suraju called for a transparent, independent probe that includes the participation of professional investigators.
“This is shocking, but not entirely unexpected,” Suraju said. “To avoid the failures of past inquiries, this panel must be open, thorough, and include law enforcement experts, forensic analysts, and review of corporate records from the CAC.”
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Background: The $3.6 Billion Land Deal
The Peoples Gazette reported on Thursday that Minister Wike allegedly approved the allocation of over 2,000 hectares of land in Abuja to his son, Joaquin Wike. The land, located in various parts of the FCT, was estimated by municipal officials to be worth over $3.6 billion.
Following the report and subsequent public outrage, Wike issued a statement claiming the land was granted to a farming company Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd without disclosing that the company is owned by his son.
He also argued that there was no law preventing him from awarding land to family members. However, this position directly contradicts Article 5 of the Fifth Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits public office holders from using their positions to grant benefits to relatives.
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No Comment from Wike’s Camp
When contacted, a spokesperson for Minister Wike declined to say whether the minister would cooperate with the probe.
As the investigation unfolds, pressure is mounting on the Tinubu administration to demonstrate its commitment to accountability especially in high-profile cases involving powerful political figures.
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