Wike Urges Tinubu to Release NDDC Forensic Audit Report
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, has urged President Bola Tinubu to release the forensic audit report of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), accusing past officials of suppressing the document to shield those allegedly involved in massive corruption.
Speaking during a live interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today on Friday, Wike said the audit, which covered the years 2015 to you 2022, exposed large-scale misappropriation of funds within the commission. He alleged that the former Attorney General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, was responsible for blocking the release of the report.
“The forensic audit report is there. Who killed it? It was Malami. Because his people were involved. Let the President release it,” Wike stated.
The minister also made allegations against former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, claiming that a company linked to Amaechi’s wife received N4 billion monthly from NDDC funds meant for women’s training in the Niger Delta. He insisted the details were captured in the audit report.
“Amaechi’s wife’s company, every month, got N4 billion. That’s N48 billion in one year. If what I am saying is not in that forensic audit report, I will resign as FCT Minister today,” Wike said.
Wike emphasized that his demand was based on a commitment to transparency and not political rivalry. He said the people of the Niger Delta had the right to know how public funds were utilized and called on the Tinubu administration to demonstrate accountability by making the audit findings public.
The audit was commissioned in 2020 by former President Muhammadu Buhari following allegations of widespread corruption and mismanagement in the NDDC. Though the audit was reportedly completed, its contents have not been publicly released, and no major prosecutions have followed.
Civil society groups and stakeholders in the Niger Delta have renewed their calls for the release of the report in light of Wike’s revelations. The Presidency has yet to respond to the minister’s challenge.
