26 Civil Society Groups demand probe into FCT Minister Wike’s alleged abuse of office

Stanley Ihedigbo

26 group of civil society organizations (CSOs) have written an open letter to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, demanding an immediate investigation into alleged abuse of office and corruption by FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The CSOs also called for the unconditional release of Mr. Mairiga Hassan Shaharu, a staff member of the Federal Capital Development Administration (FCDA), who was allegedly detained unlawfully on the orders of Minister Wike’s Chief Security Officer.

Mr. Mairiga was arrested and detained without a valid court order, allegedly based on a forged court document.

Minister Wike’s actions were described as a brazen abuse of office, intimidation, and suppression of whistleblowing.

The detention was reportedly linked to Mr. Mairiga’s alleged exposure of internal documents showing illegal land allocations to Minister Wike’s underage sons.

The groups demanded unconditional release of Mr. Mairiga Hassan Shaharu A and a full-scale, independent investigation into the land allocation scandal and alleged use of forged court documents.

They also demanded the suspension of Minister Wike from office pending the outcome of the investigation.

They urged for protection of whistleblowers and public servants who expose wrongdoing.

The CSOs demanded highlight the need for transparency and accountability in government, particularly in the FCT Administration.

The alleged use of forged court documents and unlawful detention raises concerns about the rule of law and the independence of the judiciary.

The CSOs are urging President Tinubu to take swift action to address the allegations and demonstrate his commitment to justice and accountability.

The groups are: Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC); Centre for Liberty (CFL); Spaces for Change (S4C); Nigerian Human Rights Defenders Network (NHRDN); Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC); and Network on Police Reform in Nigeria (NOPRIN Foundation).

Also, Global Rights Nigeria; Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD-West Africa); Amnesty International Nigeria; Enough is Enough (EiE) Nigeria; Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC); Partners West Africa – Nigeria; Connected Development (CODE); and ActionAid Nigeria..

As well as Policy Alert, Centre for Social Justice; Media Rights Agenda; The Resource Centre for Human Rights & Civic Education (CHRICED); PRADIN – Procurement Observation and Advocacy Initiative; HEDA Resource Center; Organization for Community Civic Engagement (OCCEN), Mothers And Marginalised Advocacy Centre (MAMA Centre), BudgIT Nigeria; Social Action, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP); Accountability Lab Nigeria and Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC).