The House of Representatives yesterday ordered the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission to prosecute a former Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Anyim Pius Anyim; former Minister of the FCT, Bala Mohammed and two others over their roles in the acquisition of land for the controversial multi-billion dollar Abuja Centenary City Project.
The Lawmakers gave the order in Abuja on Thursday after following its findings and adoption of the report of the House Committee on Federal Capital Territory, which investigated the alleged “abuses” of the project.
The House resolved that the ex-SGF and other “promoters” of the project should be prosecuted and public funds spent on it recovered for the Federal Government.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan had approved the project in 2014 to commemorate Nigeria’s centenary anniversary. Anyim, a former President of the Senate, was the driver of the project, valued to gulp $18.376 billion.
The public land acquired for the city covered 1,267 hectares.
The committee, in its report to the House, said the promoters of the project abused Jonathan’s presidential directives and also flouted existing laws guiding the Abuja land swap policy to suit personal and other business interests.
The committee, which is chaired by a member of the All Progressives Congress from Benue State, Mr. Herman Hembe, submitted its report to the House on March 8. The recommendations of the committee got the approval of the entire House yesterday
Among the promoters listed for prosecution along with Anyim and the former Minister of the FCT, Mr. Bala Mohammed are Ms. Boma Ozobia and Mr. Paul Oki who are directors of Centenary City Plc, a firm incorporated for the sole purpose of executing the project.
