It’s Time for President Tinubu to Allow Wike to Face Justice — Onwuzurike

A Nigerian lawyer and public affairs commentator, Sylvester Onwuzurike, has called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to allow the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, to face the law following a wave of serious corruption allegations tied to land allocation in Abuja.

In a strongly worded opinion piece, Onwuzurike argued that the growing accusations surrounding the minister have reached a point where silence from the presidency and anti-graft agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) can no longer be justified.

According to reports, Wike has allegedly allocated more than 2,000 hectares of premium land across Abuja to his son, Joaquin Wike, through a company named Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd. The properties are said to be located in some of the capital’s most valuable districts — including Maitama, Guzape, Asokoro, Bwari, Gaduwa, and Kwaita — with an estimated combined worth running into billions of naira.

Civil society organizations, including the National Citizens Action Network Against Trafficking (NACAT), have also accused the minister of distributing plots to close associates, political allies, and cronies while ordinary citizens and legitimate investors were denied fair access.

One particularly controversial case involved the demolition of a four-hectare property known as Plot 584, Cad Zone E08, Karu, which had been duly approved by authorities and developed according to regulations. The land was reportedly revoked and reassigned without notice, sparking public outrage and fueling suspicions of personal interest and abuse of power.

Onwuzurike emphasized that if these allegations are substantiated, they reveal not only a deep ethical failure but also a systemic breakdown of governance that undermines public trust. “The idea that land allocation in the FCT has become a political tool rather than a service to the people is dangerous for democracy and destructive to institutional integrity,” he wrote.

The lawyer called on the EFCC and ICPC to conduct an independent, transparent probe into all land allocations made since Wike’s appointment in August 2023. He urged investigators to trace ownership records, audit documents, and verify whether due process was followed in each transaction.

Onwuzurike also urged President Tinubu to take a clear stance, noting that Wike, as a minister, reports directly to him. “The perception that the presidency shields its allies from scrutiny weakens public confidence and contradicts Tinubu’s Renewed Hope agenda,” he stated.

He further recommended that Wike be temporarily suspended pending the outcome of a formal investigation. According to him, decisive action from the presidency would reinforce Nigeria’s commitment to fairness and transparency while discouraging impunity among political elites.

Quoting past statements from anti-corruption leaders, Onwuzurike reminded the EFCC of its promise that “the days of impunity are gone.” He stressed that those words must now be tested, adding that “no one — regardless of political ties — should be beyond the reach of the law.”

He concluded by asserting that Nigerians deserve a government that matches its rhetoric with integrity:

“The time for excuses is over. The institutions of accountability must act. Wike’s legacy will not be defined by grand projects or political speeches but by how he responds to these allegations.”

Onwuzurike’s call adds to mounting pressure on the federal government to demonstrate that anti-corruption efforts remain credible and impartial, especially when high-ranking officials are involved.