This post has already been read at least 11311 times!

The Northern Political Awareness Organization (NPAO) has issued a scathing call for the immediate dismissal of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and the Secretary of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Clifford Oparaodu, over what it describes as “monumental corruption” and a blatant abuse of power.

In a strongly worded statement obtained by this publication, the group condemned the arrest of Mairiga Hassan Shaharu, a staff member of the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS), who was allegedly detained by police for leaking documents that exposed a multi-billion dollar land fraud linked to the FCT Minister.

“An innocent Nigerian whom the FCT Minister suspects to have leaked the information of the multi-billion dollar fraud was arrested and spent some days in police custody,” the group stated, describing the arrest as a violation of constitutional rights and a dangerous precedent for whistleblowers.

According to the report, Shaharu, who works in the Fresh Applications Unit of AGIS, was arrested last Tuesday by a team of police detectives. His arrest came amid a hunt for the source of leaked documents that revealed the allocation of over 3,822 hectares of Abuja land—estimated to be worth $6.45 billion—to Wike’s two sons, Jordan (25) and Joaquin (23).

“Documents obtained directly from the minister’s office and published on 26 June and 1 July revealed that at least 3,822 hectares of land, potentially worth $6.45 billion, were allocated by Mr. Wike to his two sons,” the group emphasized.

The NPAO further accused the ICPC of inaction despite petitions filed against the minister. The group attributed this silence to the compromised leadership of the commission, pointing fingers at its Secretary, Clifford Oparaodu, who they claim is a cousin and long-time associate of Wike.

“Our findings show that the Executive Secretary of ICPC, Clifford Oparadu, was nominated by Minister Nyesom Wike in 2023 as secretary of ICPC,” the statement reads. “Mr. Clifford Oparadu is a cousin of the Minister who from his below [sic] shows his umbilical cord ties with the Minister all through his tenure as Governor.”

The group provided a detailed profile of Oparaodu, highlighting his legal background and political appointments, many of which were allegedly facilitated by Wike. They argue that his presence at the ICPC serves as a “protective shield” for the minister’s alleged corrupt practices.

“He had to carry him to the ICPC office as a protective shield to cover his loots and monumental corruption which at the value of over $6 billion dollars would sound as the mother and father of all corruption in the history of Nigeria,” the group declared.

The NPAO is now demanding decisive action from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, urging him to remove both Wike and Oparaodu from office to preserve the integrity of Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.

“At this juncture, the principal actor who is the Minister of the FCT must step aside to make room for proper investigation without any undue influence and interference with the investigation,” the group insisted.

They also called for the immediate removal of Oparaodu from the ICPC, warning that his continued presence would render any investigation into the matter a “fluke.”

“The secretary of ICPC who has been confirmed as a protégée and Wike’s brother whose only [role] is to cover up the fraud must be removed immediately from the office of the ICPC and should never be sent to any anti-corruption agency,” the statement concluded. “Otherwise the entire investigation and the fight against corruption will be a fluke. Nigerians must not be insulted and treated in this ridiculous manner.”

The group ended its statement with a bold rallying cry:

“Wike Must Go. Oparadu Must Go.”

As the allegations continue to stir public outrage, all eyes are now on the presidency and the ICPC to respond to the growing demand for accountability and transparency in the nation’s capital.

This post has already been read at least 11311 times!