Politics

Amaechi’s Wife Denies N4bn NDDC Claim, Challenges Wike to Release Audit Report

Published by Tope Fakinlede on July 23rd, 2025.

Amaechi’s Wife Denies N4bn NDDC Claim, Challenges Wike to Release Audit Report

Dame Judith Amaechi, wife of former Transportation Minister Rotimi Amaechi, has strongly denied accusations that she received monthly payments of ₦4 billion from the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), as recently alleged by Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

Wike, earlier this month, urged President Bola Tinubu to publish the long-awaited forensic audit of the NDDC, claiming the report contains evidence of financial misconduct involving Dame Amaechi. He alleged the report had been suppressed to shield high-profile individuals who might be implicated.

In response, Dame Amaechi, through a statement issued by her media aide, Dike Bekwele, described Wike’s claims as baseless and politically motivated.

She dismissed the allegation as a deliberate attempt to tarnish her image and discredit the Empowerment Support Initiative (ESI) — the non-profit organization she founded — accusing the FCT minister of using unfounded narratives for political gain.

“There is no truth whatsoever in the claim that Dame Judith Amaechi or ESI received ₦4 billion monthly from the NDDC,” the statement read. “Such accusations are not only false, but entirely fabricated. They exist only in Mr. Wike’s imagination.”

Dame Amaechi explained that the ESI, which has collaborated with the NDDC in the past, did so transparently and within the bounds of legal counterpart funding agreements, which are publicly available.

She also questioned the credibility of Wike’s claim, given that the forensic audit report he referred to has not been made accessible to the public.

“It’s irrational to suggest that Dame Amaechi or her organization was indicted in a report that hasn’t even been published. If Mr. Wike is so confident in his allegations, we challenge him to release the report and show where either Dame Amaechi or ESI was named,” the statement added.

The statement also took aim at Wike’s call for the audit’s release, accusing him of turning serious issues into media theatrics and demanding accountability for his claims.

“If Mr. Wike cannot provide the document he so frequently references, he should take responsibility for spreading misinformation. We challenge him to resign from his position as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory and issue a formal public apology to the Nigerian people.”

Dame Amaechi concluded by reaffirming her commitment to social development and transparency, urging Nigerians not to be misled by what she described as malicious and politically charged statements.