News
“Light up Abuja project gave us nightmares over fear of sabotage”-Wike
By Kayode Sanni-Arewa
The Minister of Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike has said Light Up Abuja project gave him and his team sleepless nights over fear of sabotage.
The minister revealed this at the flag of ceremony of the installation of integrated (Hybrid) lighting at the District of Abuja City on Thursday the minister said:
“Today’s event is a very difficult one, difficult in the sense that this is one project, though it is very important, but has given us a lot of headache; headache not in the conceptualisation but headache on how it will work knowing in this country, people are always sabotaging efforts of government.
” So it has been a sense of concern for me and my team. But we felt that we must take up the challenge.
When we came on board in August 2023, one thing anybody who visits Abuja or who resides in Abuja will identify is that totally almost 80% of the entire city is in darkness.
“Two, there was this issue of insecurity when we came on board.
And so we are trying to see how do we tackle this issue? If we continue to leave Abuja in darkness, obviously insecurity will increase.
” So we decided to do what we can and what was available.
Every time you hear sabotage, cables have been removed, poles have been vandalised.
” Every time you see paper coming in, maintenance of street lights, spending money. And I said, when are we going to stop this?
Sometimes you run into the airport to receive the President, everywhere is dark.
“And of course, as somebody whose responsibility it is to solve these problems, it became for us nightmare. I started having minor migraines.
“And so in 2024, we decided to travel with Mr. President to Beijing. There in Beijing, we signed an agreement with these two companies, CGC and CCECC.
“We signed two with CGC, one to provide water in the satellite towns, which is ongoing, and one to help in terms of lighting up Abuja. The one we signed with CCECC is just for the light up.
“And I asked them a simple question. How are you going to carry out this? Knowing full well that there was a lot of sabotages.
The minister explained that: “One thing that attracted me was the fact that they are going to put surveillance features, so that if you go and try to vandalise it or try to steal it, they will be able to identify you. And so that issue, I was happy that that area had been solved.
“If I tell you how much we spent every month, every week, files, maintenance of these street lights, maintenance of this, and to worsen it, these contractors are politicians, they are political contractors. You don’t even know who they are. You don’t even know where their equipments are.
” But you keep on paying and paying and paying and paying. And we are not getting any results.
So, I said there comes a time and part of leadership is to take a decision. It doesn’t matter whether that decision will favour everybody or not. But let it be a decision that will lead for improvement. Be firm.
“So, when we saw what we spent in terms of maintenance, and then we don’t even see the light. If we are maintaining and the light is there, you will say okay for whatever it is.
“This one you pay for the maintenance and you drive in the night. I’ll be calling. I’ll say, look, have you passed this street? There’s no light. Yes. We are trying to start maintenance tomorrow.
” The next day I go out, you will see light by seven. By 11 o’clock, everything off. I’ll call. Are you not aware there is no light here? Yes, it is just this night it happened.
“So, problem for me, headache, I’ll just come back home, I’ll say, I’m tired. But I thank God this time around there will no longer be maintenance because the two companies will maintain it for four, five years.
“And so, I will not see a file for maintenance of so-so thing, no! Everything has been built in. The companies will have to maintain it for four, five years. The company has to make sure there’s security for it.
“So for us, as politicians, one fight we will have is that those of them who are original contractors, who now see that, look, it’s like the thing will no longer even be available, they will now go to the leaders of the various parties.
“Why will he do this thing now when we are going towards the election period? He knows that people will be angry.
But I’ve always said people must be angry.
“People will only be angry when things are not done right. When things are done right, people will be happy.
“So for me, as an Honourable Minister, you have to know that from today, they will call us all sorts of names. Another one will come out. Ethnicity will come in.
“They did it because I’m the Igbo man who is supplying all the cables. I’m the Igbo man who is supplying the generator. And then they will send people to social media, radio, and begin to lambast us. Or some will come in the form of religion; because I’m a Christian, because I’m a Muslim, that’s why they stopped all these.
“Let me assure you, all those things we do not mind. They don’t care. If you like, post as much as you can post on your social media. If you like, consult people to go to television and talk. If you like, call CNN. We have taken a decision, we have taken a decision.
“Another sabotage will come from the criminals. Criminals who now believe that it will be difficult for them to go and steal cables, it will be difficult for them to vandalise the poles because now there will be security features, they will know it will no longer be easy. It will no longer be business as usual. So they will have their own style of campaign.
“Let me assure everybody that security agencies will work in synergy with the companies to make sure that this project is being protected.
“Another area of attack will be those who normally buy these poles. When they vandalise them, they go and sell to them. They come and resell. It will no longer be business as usual. So you will also see attack from that area.
“You will also see attack from the staff of the FCT where these files are coming from. Where money is being made, is being paid? No money will be paid again. And so they will lambast me. They will go and tell their people to go and strike, that they have not paid them for seven months.
“Sorry! There’s nothing like that.
If we want to do something well for the interest of the nation, let us do it, it is for the interest of all of us.
I don’t know how this country would want to bid to host Commonwealth, yet their own city cannot have ordinary light in the night, everywhere will be dark. How does that make us a city,” Wike wondered.
“This time around, by the grace of God, in the next seven months, like I said, with commitment, it will be a different thing. Anybody coming to Abuja, not only will you see good roads, you will see cities being lit up.
“When you are flying, you go to cities, and you begin to wonder how beautiful the cities are. Why, because of light. But here, immediate you are landing, instead of you to see light, you see what, darkness. It will no longer be the same, by the grace of God. And I want to assure everybody that this job will be done, and done very well.
“And Abuja will be 50 years by February next year. And how will it look? A jubilee year, and then you cannot say that the city is fine, at least by providing the basic light.
“Security, criminals will run away, because when there’s light everywhere because by the time you come to steal or attack, you will know that people will see you.
“They always thrive when there is darkness. And so they will also find a way to fight back, to make sure this project does not work. But if there’s one project we are determined to achieve, it’s in this light up Abuja.
“So, I thought to explain this, so that all of you will know, where sometimes, where some of these attacks, this blackmail, propaganda, are coming from. Do not bother yourself.
“If you care to read, read, if you don’t care to read; whether I’m bothered, never.
Whether I think about it, I don’t even know it exists. Whether you want to fabricate anything, it’s your business.
“Fabricate as much as you can. But this work must be done.
And I will do it with the support of Mr. President and that’s what is key.
” So, my dear brothers and sisters, I thank you for coming to support us. Look at the number of jobs it will create for our teeming youths.
“We have 22 days, we have embarked for flagging off of projects and commissioning.
Senator Ali Ndume who just came, I know where you are living, no street lights, but go home and sleep now, there will be street lights.
“That is why each time we are in the Senate, make sure when we ask for one naira increase it to five naira. Knowing full well that the money will be utilised that is what is key.
“So, thank you for your support, the Senate and the House of Reps. Thank you for our leaders, each day we go out, you always give us support. It’s very, very important.
I thank all of you, and I invite you to join us as we flag off the light up Abuja. Thank you and God bless you.
Justice Ekerete Akpan of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, fixed June 22, July 1 and 2, 2026 for definite hearing in the trial of the Chief Executive Officer of Onome Global Market Resources Limited and Lexicon Multi-concept Media Limited, Osabohein Alex Ologbose, and his wife Hope Onome Oghelemu for alleged investment fraud.
The duo are being prosecuted alongside two companies, on a seven-count charge, bordering on obtaining money by false pretence, conversion of funds and money laundering to the tune of N740 million.
According to the EFCC, the offence is contrary to Section 18(2)(b) of the Money Laundering Prevention and Prohibition Act 2022 and punishment under Section 18(4) of the same Act.
The defendants were arraigned on February 16, 2026.
At the resumed hearing of the matter on Monday, the prosecuting EFCC lawyer, O.S Ujam, informed the court that the prosecution team was ready to proceed with the trials and to present three witnesses in court.
On his part, the defence lawyer , T.O. Ochayi, informed the court that he was unprepared for the commencement of the trial, having been briefed on the matter just a day before and taking over only today.
He said, “We are not ready, my lord. I am sorry my lord. I just came into this matter today, I was not the counsel before now. I am not ready for trial. I was briefed yesterday, I would like this matter to proceed only if I have the motion for bail.”
Responding, Ujam informed the court that the prosecution team was hearing such a response from the defence for the first time, frowning at the fact that the prosecution was not given any prior notice for the change in counsel. He further informed the court that the three prosecution witnesses present in court were elderly and have been in court since morning.
He said, “We are just hearing this, this morning. No notice was given to us. I am not opposed to the adjournment, however, we urge the court to slate the matter for definite hearing. We have three witnesses that came from afar and elderly. They have been in court since morning.”
Justice Akpan, thereafter, adjourned the matter till June 22, and July 1 and 2, 2026 for definite hearing.
Investigation by the EFCC revealed that the first and second defendants induced unsuspecting members of the public into paying money into Oghelemu’s account or that of Onome Global Market Resources Limited on the false pretence that it was for procurement and exportation of “bitter kola nuts” and “red kola nuts” to Hong Kong, China and Indonesia after which they would be paid a huge Return on Investment (RoI).
But it turned out that the investors neither got RoI, nor their investment sums back.
Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, on Monday confronted former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), at the Federal High Court in Abuja, in a tense exchange that has since gone viral.
The incident, captured on video, showed Sowore addressing Malami over his ongoing legal challenges, drawing comparisons between the former minister’s current predicament and his role during the administration of the late former President Muhammadu Buhari.
Malami is currently facing charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Department of State Services (DSS), including allegations of money laundering, unlawful possession of firearms, and acquisition of assets. He is also challenging an interim forfeiture order on some of his properties, insisting they were legally obtained.
During the confrontation, Sowore remarked, “You see how it feels now to be persecuted. When you were with Buhari, you were bragging. We warned you that the justice system was failing, but you didn’t listen. Now the system is dealing with you.”
But Sowore described the claims as speculative, stressing that no documentation had been provided to prove the properties were purchased with illegal funds.
He also accused the EFCC of inflating the value of the assets to strengthen its case. According to him, properties bought for hundreds of millions of naira were wrongly valued in the billions.
He noted that independent assessments had placed more realistic values on the assets.
Explaining the sources of his wealth, Malami said they stem from over 30 years of legal practice, as well as investments in sectors such as hospitality, agriculture, and education.
He added that he also benefited from bank loans, asset sales, gifts, and proceeds from book launches, all of which he claimed were properly declared to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
Beyond disputing the financial allegations, Malami accused the EFCC of violating due process. He further alleged that officials seized properties without a final court order, evicted occupants, and confiscated documents, actions he described as unlawful and extrajudicial conduct.
The case, which is linked to an ongoing criminal matter involving the former AGF, is expected to test the scope of the EFCC’s powers in asset forfeiture and its compliance with legal procedures.
Malami is asking the court to overturn the interim forfeiture order, insisting the properties are legitimate.
The court will ultimately determine whether the assets should be permanently forfeited to the Federal Government or returned to him.
In what can be considered as controversial statement and in line with his characteristic stance that usually attracts divergent views, former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri and Kaduna many never work again in spite of the NNPCL’s efforts to secure technical partners for the refineries.
Speaking during a televised interview on Sony Irabor Live , Obasanjo pointed to structural and historical challenges that, in his view, have continued to undermine the refineries’ performance.
He said, “One of the lessons that I learnt is that PPP (public-private partnership) works. Look, one project that has not been destroyed by the government in Nigeria is the NLNG (Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas), where the private sector has 51 per cent, and the Nigerian government has 49 per cent.
“See what we did with Nigerian railways. See what we did with the national shipping company. See what we are doing now, even with the NNPCL . The NNPCL has refineries, and I said to people that it may never work. And a man had the audacity to say, ‘Am I a chemical engineer?”
The former president recalled past attempts during his administration to attract global operators, including Shell, to manage the refineries under a partnership model. According to him, those efforts did not yield results.
“Look, when I was there, I called Shell. I said, ‘Look, please, I beg you, come and take 10 per cent equity and run the refinery for us.’ They said no. I said, ‘Okay, if you don’t want to take equity, don’t take equity. Come and run the refineries. They said no,” he stated.
He further explained that discussions with company officials highlighted commercial and operational concerns that influenced their decision.
“So, I called him, and I said, ‘Tell me, be honest with me. Why don’t you want to handle this?’ He said first, they want to let me know that they make most of their profits on the upstream, not the downstream.”
He said they run their downstream without making a loss, but they don’t make a lot of profit from it. It’s more of a service than a major profit-making. So that’s number one.
“Number two: he said our refineries are too small. This was when I was an elected President. He said our refineries are too small. One is 60,000 barrels, and another is 100,000 barrels. He said refineries at that time were in the range of 250,000 barrels to 300,000 barrels. Number three: he said our refineries are not well-maintained. We call quacks and amateurs to come and maintain our refineries. The refineries are not in good order. He said, ‘Number four, there’s too much corruption around our refineries, and they don’t want to be part of that,” Obasanjo explained.
Obasanjo also revisited a previous transaction involving the Dangote Group, led by Aliko Dangote, which he said offered a pathway for private sector participation at the time.
“Until one day, Aliko (Dangote) came and offered $750m to take two of the refineries; that will be 51 per cent. I said, ‘Wow, God, you are really a God of miracles.’ I told Aliko to bring the money quickly. They brought the money, and they paid,” he said.
He noted, however, that the arrangement did not endure beyond his tenure, following a policy reversal under his successor, the late Umaru Musa Yar’Adua.
Obasanjo said, “When I left office, NNPC went to my successor and convinced him. So I got up. I went to Umar. I said, ‘Look, Umar, maybe you don’t know; this is why we did what we did.’ He said, ‘Well, NNPC came to me.’ I said, ‘But you know that NNPCL cannot run this thing. He said he knew. I asked, ‘Then why did you give in? He said because of pressure. And I said, ‘Look, when you sell these refineries, you will not get $200million for them, because you will sell them as scrap.’”
Obasanjo further referenced recent disclosures by the current NNPCL leadership, noting that , “Only the present NNPCL head has told the country the truth. But in the meantime, I was told that they have spent about $16bn, which is only $4bn short of what Aliko used to build Africa’s largest refinery,” the former President said.
The current Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Bayo Ojulari, had earlier indicated that despite rehabilitation efforts and the brief reopening of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries in 2024, the facilities remain below global performance benchmarks, affecting their competitiveness.
In November 2025, NNPCL set a June 2026 target to conclude the selection of technical partners, a move seen as part of broader reforms to improve efficiency and output.
Meanwhile, Dangote has maintained that his decision to establish a privately owned refinery followed the earlier reversal of the refinery sale, adding that the future of the state-owned facilities remains uncertain.
Court fixes June 22 for hearing on couple’s alleged N740m investment fraud
Sowore mocks Malami at court, says ‘ You see how it feels now to be persecuted’
Obasanjo stirs up hornet’s nest, says ‘NNPCL refineries may never work again’
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