The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has denied reports that he plans to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the immediate past FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the denial was contained in a statement issued by his Director of Press, Anthony Ogunleye.
In the statement, Wike said the reports are “entirely baseless and without any merit whatsoever.”
He said that while he has expressed concerns and frustrations regarding irregularities observed in the procurement and execution of certain projects in the FCT, he has never contemplated or authorized any action by anyone within or outside the FCT Administration to invite the EFCC or ICPC to investigate Bello.
Wike said 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.”
He urged the public and well-meaning Nigerians to exercise caution and discernment when encountering such unfounded reports.
The full statement reads:
FCTA PRESS STATEMENT
RE: FALSE ONLINE MEDIA REPORTS REGARDING ALLEGED INVITATION OF EFCC AND ICPC TO INVESTIGATE FORMER FCT MINISTER
1. The Office of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister wishes to address recent online media reports that have surfaced, claiming that the FCT Minister, Barrister Ezenwo Nyesom Wike plans to invite the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate the immediate past FCT Minister, Malam Muhammad Musa Bello, in relation to certain irregularities in the award of contracts and other such matters.
2. We categorically and unequivocally state that these reports are entirely baseless and without any merit whatsoever. The FCT Minister, during his routine inspections of various projects within the FCT, has indeed expressed concerns and frustrations regarding irregularities observed in the procurement and execution of certain projects, amongst other observations which he very publicly expressed.
3. However, at no point did he contemplate or authorize any action by anyone within or outside the FCT Administration to invite the EFCC or ICPC to investigate the former FCT Minister in connection with these or any other matters.
4. 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.
5. We view such misinformation with great concern and urge the public and well-meaning Nigerians to exercise caution and discernment when encountering such unfounded reports.
6. The FCT Minister remains focused on his responsibilities to ensure the efficient and transparent administration of the Federal Capital Territory. Any actions or decisions taken by the FCTA in this regard will be communicated through official channels and in accordance with due process.
7. We hereby advise the general public to disregard the story in its entirety, as it is nothing but a deliberate attempt to spread fake news and create unnecessary tensions.
8. Barrister Nyesom Wike remains committed to upholding the highest standards of integrity and accountability in the discharge of his duties and remains committed to building the FCT of our collective dreams.
ANTHONY OGUNLEYE
DIRECTOR OF PRESS
(OFFICE OF THE FCT MINISTER)
09/09/2023
