The Minister of Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has denied inviting the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to probe his predecessor, Muhammad Bello, over allegations of irregularities in the award of contracts.
A report in an online media outlet claimed that Wike had written to the anti-graft agencies to investigate Bello. However, the minister’s spokesperson, Anthony Ogunleye, said in a statement on Saturday that the report was “baseless and without merit”.
Ogunleye said Wike had indeed expressed concern over irregularities observed in the procurement and execution of certain projects during his routine inspections of various projects within the FCT. However, he said the minister never authorized anyone to invite the EFCC or ICPC to investigate Bello.
“The online story in question is nothing more than a product of the imagination of its authors and is clearly designed to mischievously sow discord and confusion among the general public,” Ogunleye said.
He urged the public to disregard the story and to exercise caution and discernment when encountering such unfounded reports.
Wike was appointed Minister of the FCT on August 16, 2023. He is a former governor of Rivers State.
%20and)
