₦airaland Forum

REFUTATION ON LERE OLAYINKA’S INTERVIEW ON ARISE NEWS – THE MORNING SHOW, FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2025

1. I have never approached Minister Nyesom Wike to beg for money — that is a lie. If anyone — including an ex-partner — went to him under false pretences to solicit funds in my name, I place a clear disclaimer. Such actions were not authorised by me, and Minister Wike reserves every right to call it out as fraud.

2. Like many others, I was invited by the EFCC for questioning — a lawful and procedural engagement. At no time was I asked to return any money. In fact, the EFCC under Former Chairman, Ibrahim Magu later issued an apology to me.

3. Lere Olayinka clearly misused the word “hubris” — a basic dictionary reference would have sufficed. I will not indulge further in responding to him directly; he is not my peer. I await a more meaningful conversation — if any — from his principal, not his proxy.

4. I am not Rotimi Amaechi’s spokesperson, nor do I have his phone number. That’s a fabrication.

5. I was not absent from The Morning Show to avoid any discussion. I was engaged at a pre-scheduled book review for “Oprah Benson – Live and Legend”, a 550-page publication by Dr. Udu Yakubu. It was an honourable intellectual commitment.

6. I stand firmly by everything I said regarding Minister Wike. He is a public official occupying a public office. He is, and should remain, subject to public scrutiny. Nobody in public service is above accountability.

7. On the matter of Buruji Kashamu, it is important to state that the allegations against him were never proven in any court of law. Until his death, he was never convicted of any crime, either in Nigeria or abroad. Persisting in amplifying unproven accusations against the deceased is in poor taste and ethically questionable.

8. My heartfelt appreciation goes to my diligent team — Rufai Oseni, Vimbai, and our wider crew — for standing tall with pose and professionalism. And to my ever-supportive wife, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo Abati, your strength remains my anchor.

May God bless Nigeria with true transparency, integrity, and boldness in public discourse.

I am Reuben Abati.

yyba:
Shameless man, lere olayinka didn't say you approach WIKE for money.

adamkkk:
Wike doesn't knw how to keep secrets

emkz:
This is probably the first time Abati issues a statement to defend himself.

In the past, Abati had described Wike in condescending terms, like saying they collected his lollipop. He also described Wike as rude and showing signs of usurping the president.

Why was it a problem if Wike's media manager attacked Abati?

Abati said Lere Olayinka was not his peer and that he'd await engagement from Wike. That was Abati equating himself to Wike. I think Abati should be aware that Wike is not his peer in politics and the legal profession. Abato held a cabinet level position in Jonathan's government as did Wike. Abati tried to be deputy governor of Ogun State and did not succeed. After serving as local government chairman, minister and governor, Wike is now a minister again and a power broker. Abati cannot boast of these credentials. Abati successfully spoke a sitting president to defeat. Infact, Abati demoted himself by going on Arise News to engage in political gossip on a daily basis. He had a spat with Mary Chinda over her calling him "Reuben" instead of "Dr Abati". He had a spat with Ojy Okpe when she gave him a chance to clarify a stance that Igbos do not sell land to outsiders which he had falsely claimed. He had a spat with guests like a former police commissioner, a former APGA chairman and others.

Abati's ego is too big for journalism.

yyba:
Shameless man, lere olayinka didn't say you approach WIKE for money.

MrMcJay:
Well done sir

chisomkachy:
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has withdrawn the alleged money laundering suit it filed at the Federal High Court against Lagos Speaker Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa.

Naija News understands that the anti-graft did not give any particular reason for its application for withdrawal.

Following the application to withdraw, Justice Nicholas Oweibo discharged the ‘lien/Post No Debit’ placed on Obasa’s three accounts in Standard Chartered Bank.

The accounts are (US Dollars) 0001852063; (Current) 0001852056 and (Saving) 5002309624.

The judge also set aside the ex-parte orders he made on September 15, 2020, which led to the freezing of the accounts.

Recall that the court on September 15, 2020, granted an interim order freezing Obasa’s accounts following the EFCC’s application in a suit marked FHC/LCS/1064/2020.

The agency had said it was investigating the Speaker for the alleged offences of conspiracy, diversion of funds, abuse of office and money laundering.

But Justice Oweibo, on August 16, 2023, heard the application to unfreeze the accounts in his chamber.

During the hearing, the EFCC was represented by Mr. Sulaiman I. Sulaiman, while Obasa was represented by Mr. Adeyinka Olumide-Fusika (SAN).

The EFCC lawyer told the court that the application to unfreeze the accounts was pursuant to Section 44(2)(K) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and Sections 26, 29 and 34 (1) of the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004, and under the court’s inherent jurisdiction.

Section 44 of the Constitution concerns constitutional rights to property.

Justice Oweibo held: “It is hereby ordered that an order is hereby granted to the respondent/applicant setting aside the ex-parte orders of this court made on the 15th day of September 2020 upon the ex-parte motion of the Applicant/ Respondent in relation the funds of the Respondent/Applicant domiciled in the accounts stated in the following schedule:

“ACCOUNT NAME, FINANCIAL ACCOUNT INSTITUTIONS, TYPE OF ACCOUNT, 1. Mudasiru Ajayi Obasa, Standard Chartered, (US Dollars) 0001852063 2. Mudasiru Ajayi Obasa, Standard Chartered (Current) 0001852056 3. Mudashiru Ajayi Obasa, Standard Chartered (Saving) 5002309624.

“Issued at Lagos, under the seal of this Honourable Court and by the hands of the Presiding Judge this 16th day of August 2023.”

https://dailytimesng.com/obasa-efcc-withdraws-suit/

Previous Threads:
https://www.nairaland.com/5877642/obasa-64-bank-accounts-linked#89878603

https://wap.nairaland.com/6167844/lagos-assembly-speaker-obasa-efcc#94728150

https://www.nairaland.com/6168612/obasa-court-orders-efcc-freeze#94741534

anonimi:
Was he convicted after prosecution since he is not part of Oshiomhole’s Association of Past Crooks, APC?

SendoSendal:
The statements infe4e Abati's former wife likely approached Wike for money
If that is true, it is difficult for Abati to say he is not aware
From henceforth, Abati will likely take it easy was on Wike