From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
A Coalition of more than 50 Nigerian civil society organizations has demanded an urgent and transparent investigation into the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over allegations of asset concealment, illicit enrichment, and misuse of public funds.
In a statement on Thursday, the network called on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), the National Judicial Council (NJC), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and the National Judicial Council (NJC) to open coordinated inquiries into Wike’s financial dealings and asset declarations, stressing that no official should be above the law.
The coalition cited reports linking Wike and his spouse, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, to high-value properties in Florida allegedly transferred to their children, as well as luxury vehicles and prime Abuja plots allocated to family members.
It also referenced longstanding allegations of a $300 million Ogoniland remediation fund diversion and unlawful land allocations in the FCT.
“These allegations, if proven, amount to a betrayal of public trust and a breach of Nigeria’s anti-corruption statutes,” the statement read, adding that selective enforcement erodes public confidence in governance.
The coalition called for a forensic audit of Wike’s asset declarations as governor and minister, an investigation of his family’s financial transactions, and public release of findings followed by legal action.
The civil society groups warned that failure to act would embolden corruption, while a transparent investigation could restore legitimacy to Nigeria’s anti-graft institutions.
They also urged international watchdogs and development partners to monitor the process, framing the case as a test of Nigeria’s commitment to accountability and integrity in public office.
The statement was endorsed by organizations including Amnesty International Nigeria, Africa Network for Environmental and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), SERAP, BudgIT Foundation, CISLAC, CDD, Global Rights, TMG, and Yiaga Africa, among others.
