Investigate Wike over ₦3.5bn Abuja estate, Activist Rita Ogbebor urges
Rita Lori Ogbebor, a prominent activist from the Niger Delta and member of the Olu of Warri Council, has called for an investigation into Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory of Nigeria, regarding his involvement in a contentious land dispute affecting a 42-year-old estate in Abuja—a property originally developed by her late husband, Col. Paul Ogbebor.
Ogbebor’s plea comes amid her family’s prolonged struggle with the Federal Capital Development Authority (FCDA), which has threatened to demolish the estate, valued at ₦3.5 billion.
She emphasises the need to recognise and respect Nigerians for their contributions, lamenting, “What I want is, first, Nigerians to know that people should be paid and respected for the contributions they’ve given to this country, not about the money and position.”
Her frustration arises from what she perceives as an injustice to her husband’s enduring legacy.
READ ALSO: Late Col. Ogbebor family raises alarm over threat to demolish ₦3.5bn estate in Abuja
This estate has been in the Ogbebor family for decades. Col. Paul Ogbebor was allocated this land during the early development of the nation’s capital, as she explained: “All companies, years ago, were given pieces of land for their job. My husband was given like any other person.” However, the family has encountered numerous bureaucratic challenges over the years, including the need to revalidate land certificates and cover significant survey costs.
Recently, Ogbebor reported that her children paid N10 million to initiate the process of regularising the land, only for the situation to take a drastic turn when Wike, after assuming office, labeled the property “illegal” and described the buildings as “dilapidated.”
“We are prepared to pay this money,” Ogbebor insisted, stressing her family’s commitment to preserving her husband’s memory. “It will be a waste of all of our lives. He didn’t bring any money home. The only thing he has is this camp that bears his name.”
The estate, a significant location in Abuja, is home to a diverse array of residents, including several expatriates. Ogbebor challenged the accusations of dilapidation, questioning how foreigners could choose to reside in a deteriorating area, stating, “How can you think white people will stay in a dilapidated area?” she asked.
In her call for action, Ogbebor demanded that the Nigerian government launch an investigation into Wike’s actions, stating, “I’m asking all Nigerians to investigate Wike. Enough is enough in this country.”
She also challenged President Bola Tinubu, urging him to investigate Wike’s role in the land grab. “I challenge Mr. President, whose name is being used and polluted, that he must probe Wike.”
Ogbebor said she instructed her lawyers to take over the case and has called for an independent investigation by the courts to determine whether her late husband’s actions were criminal or whether he had truly contributed to the development of the nation.
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