By Our Correspondent
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has formally written to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC), urging them to investigate the former FCT Minister, Mallam Muhammed Musa Bello, over allegations of massive financial mismanagement and contract inflation.
In his petition, Wike highlighted several contracts awarded under Bello's tenure, raising questions about their transparency and execution. Among the concerns is the awarding of a 1-kilometer road contract from Gaduwa Estate junction to the NCDC office, valued at ₦4 billion, which was allegedly paid in full.
Wike further alleged that other contracts initially awarded for ₦10 billion were later inflated to ₦119 billion, while another contract, valued at ₦50 billion, was revised upwards to ₦200 billion. Additional instances of contract inflation include a ₦6 billion project increased to ₦70 billion, as well as the emergency maintenance of Usman Dam at a cost of ₦9 billion, reportedly paid in full without a Bill of Quantities (BOQ).
The petition also highlighted a debt burden of over ₦1.2 trillion allegedly left by the former minister, with little to show in terms of development.
Additionally, Wike raised concerns over the approval of green areas for residential purposes, and the conversion of residential buildings in key districts like Wuse 2, Maitama, Gana Street, and Garki into commercial properties, in violation of the Abuja Master Plan.
These allegations have sparked public interest, with expectations rising on how the anti-corruption bodies will respond to the detailed accusations of procurement infractions and mismanagement in the FCT under the former minister.
