By Charles Maduka
President Bola Tinubu has ordered a formal investigation into the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over allegations of abuse of office linked to a controversial \$3.6 billion land allocation in Abuja.
The directive, issued on Thursday night and finalized by Friday afternoon, comes amid growing public outrage over reports that Wike allocated over 2,000 hectares of prime land in Maitama and Asokoro to his son, Joaquin Wike, for a 99-year lease.
Presidency sources revealed that the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), George Akume, has been tasked with coordinating the probe. While anti-corruption agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) have not yet been officially engaged, the probe is expected to take months and could expand to include them.
A presidential aide, speaking anonymously, confirmed the development, stating, “The president found the reports concerning the minister’s actions disturbing and has ordered a discreet but thorough investigation.”
Civil society groups have called for transparency. Anti-corruption campaigner, Lanre Suraju, urged the federal government to involve professional investigators and ensure the process is not shielded by political loyalties. “The investigation must include forensic analysis and proper scrutiny of Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) records,” Suraju said.
Though the presidency has not publicly confirmed the probe, insiders suggested the move is part of a broader strategy to uphold accountability while managing political sensitivities. Wike has faced scrutiny in recent weeks for allegedly using his position to consolidate political and financial power.
As Nigerians await clarity on the matter, many are calling on the federal government to ensure that no public official, regardless of political affiliation, is above the law.
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