Columnist and anchor on Arise TV, Reuben Abati, has debunked a claim by the Lere Olayinka, media aide to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, that he refunded money to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
According to him, he also never ran to Wike for money, as Olayinka also claimed during an in interview on Arise.
Abati made this known in a post on his Facebook page (stet):
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.
