BREAKING: Northern Group Demands Immediate Sack of FCT Minister Wike Over Alleged $6.45 Billion Fraud

Northern Group Demands Immediate Sack of FCT Minister Wike Over Alleged $6.45 Billion Fraud

 

….Accuses ICPC Secretary of shielding minister from probe due to family ties

 

The Northern Political Awareness Organization (NPAO) has called for the immediate removal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over what it describes as “monumental corruption” and abuse of public office.

 

In a statement obtained by News Week Nigeria on Wednesday, the group also demanded the dismissal of Clifford Oparaodu, Secretary of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), accusing him of aiding Wike by obstructing investigations into an alleged multi-billion dollar land fraud scandal.

 

At the heart of the controversy is the arrest of Mairiga Hassan Shaharu, a staff member of the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), who was allegedly detained by the police for leaking documents implicating the FCT Minister in the allocation of over 3,800 hectares of land — reportedly valued at $6.45 billion — to his sons, Jordan and Joaquin Wike.

 

“An innocent Nigerian whom the FCT Minister suspects to have leaked the information was arrested and spent days in custody,” NPAO said, condemning the arrest as a violation of Shaharu’s constitutional rights and a threat to whistleblower protections.

 

According to the statement, the controversial land allocations were revealed in documents dated June 26 and July 1, which directly linked the transfer of land ownership to the minister’s sons, aged 25 and 23.

 

The group did not spare the ICPC, accusing the agency of turning a blind eye despite receiving petitions on the matter. NPAO claimed the inaction is due to the compromised position of the ICPC Secretary, Clifford Oparaodu, who they allege is a cousin and long-time associate of Wike.

 

“Our findings show that Mr. Clifford Oparaodu, who was nominated as Secretary of ICPC by Minister Wike in 2023, has long-standing family and political ties to him,” the group claimed. “He is not only a relative but has also benefited from Wike’s political influence throughout his career.”

 

NPAO further alleged that Oparaodu’s appointment to the anti-corruption agency was a strategic move to shield Wike from scrutiny.

 

“He was planted at the ICPC as a protective shield to cover up loots worth over $6 billion — which could go down as the most colossal corruption scandal in Nigeria’s history,” the statement added.

 

The group is now urging President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to act swiftly in order to restore public confidence in the nation’s anti-corruption institutions.

 

“At this juncture, the principal actor, Minister Wike, must step aside to allow for an impartial investigation,” the group insisted. “The Secretary of the ICPC must also be removed immediately, or else any investigation will be nothing but a fluke.”

 

The statement concluded with a powerful demand: “Wike Must Go. Oparaodu Must Go.”