In a scathing critique, former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has labelled the conferment of Nigeria's second-highest national honour on businessman Gilbert Chagoury as a profoundly dark moment for the nation. The award, the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON), was bestowed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, sparking a fierce backlash over issues of corruption and ethical governance.
Award Normalises Corruption, Undermines Public Trust
In a statement released on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Frank argued that honouring Chagoury severely undermines public trust and Nigeria's professed anti-corruption stance. He pointed to widely reported judicial findings and allegations that link Chagoury to money-laundering cases involving funds looted during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
"Today ranks among the saddest days of my life as a Nigerian," Frank declared. He specifically referenced a Swiss court conviction in 2000, where Chagoury was found connected to laundering Abacha loot. Following the conviction, Chagoury reportedly paid a fine of one million Swiss francs and returned approximately $66 million to the Nigerian government.
"To bestow one of our highest national honours on a person publicly tainted by allegations and judicial findings of corruption sends a deeply troubling message about our national values," Frank asserted.
Conflict of Interest and Questionable Dealings
Frank raised serious alarms about potential conflicts of interest, highlighting Chagoury's reported status as a business associate of President Tinubu. He connected this to the controversial Lagos–Calabar Coastal Highway project, which was reportedly awarded without competitive bidding to Hitech Construction Company, a subsidiary of the Chagoury Group.
"A sitting President should not be in business dealings – directly or indirectly – with close associates while holding office," Frank stated. He warned that the combination of the award and the lucrative project fuels public suspicion of abuse of power and cronyism at the highest level.
Furthermore, Frank pointed out an institutional contradiction, noting that Nigeria's current National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, once chaired the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) when Chagoury was investigated as an associate of Abacha.
Call for Civic Vigilance and Accountability
Frank challenged the rationale behind the honour, demanding transparency on Chagoury's contributions to national development. "What hospitals, schools or scholarships has he built or funded to merit this honour?" he questioned. He urged Nigerians, opposition parties, and citizens committed to the rule of law to treat the episode as a critical wake-up call.
He also issued a caution to international allies, particularly the United States, warning against being misled by lobbyists representing interests in Nigeria. "A President reputed for standing against corruption and poor governance should be cautious about associating, directly or indirectly, with a government that glorifies individuals with controversial corruption histories," Frank advised.
Frank concluded with a grave warning: "A nation where individuals accused or convicted of corruption are protected, defended or even honoured is a nation drifting dangerously toward institutionalised impunity. It is one thing for the rule of law to be weakened; it is far worse for impunity to be openly rewarded."
