The National Civil Society Council of Nigeria (NCSCN) has thrown its weight behind the recent ambassadorial nomination of former National Intelligence Agency (NIA) Director-General, Ambassador Ayodele Oke. The council asserts that recent developments have cleared the former spy chief's name, exposing critical failures in coordination between Nigeria's security agencies.
Council Cites "Uncoordinated Operations" in 2017 Ikoyi Incident
Speaking during a State of the Nation address in Abuja, the Executive Director of the NCSCN, Blessing Akinlosotu, addressed the controversial 2017 discovery of vast sums of money in an Ikoyi apartment. He described the incident, which involved $43 million, £27,800 and ₦23 million, as a direct result of poor coordination between sister security organizations.
Akinlosotu clarified that the funds were part of a legally approved budget for covert national security operations. He explained that Ambassador Oke, as NIA head, had established a cash-based system to finance sensitive intelligence missions in areas where digital transactions could expose agents. The Ikoyi apartment, internally tagged as a "safe house," was used to store these operational funds.
From Dismissal to Vindication and Nomination
The council recalled that Oke was dismissed from his role in October 2017 following an investigation panel led by then-Vice President Yemi Osinbajo. The probe was initiated after questions arose about the apartment, which was linked to Oke's wife. Subsequently, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed money laundering charges against Oke and his spouse.
However, the NCSCN stated that its review, alongside intelligence community records, confirmed the money was legitimately drawn from a $289 million cash allocation given to the NIA in 2015 for special operations. The group insisted the Central Bank of Nigeria was aware of the funds' movement.
In June 2023, following a presidency review, the EFCC applied to withdraw the charges, and the Federal High Court struck out the case. The NCSCN views President Bola Tinubu's decision to nominate Oke as an ambassador as a positive step that rewards professional competence and rectifies a past injustice.
Call for Improved Inter-Agency Collaboration
While acknowledging that using a residence connected to Oke's wife was not ideal, the council maintained the action was driven by patriotism and strategic necessity. The NCSCN used the occasion to urge security agencies, media, and civil society to exercise greater caution when handling sensitive intelligence matters to avoid endangering national security.
"EFCC and all other agencies must improve on information sharing and collaborative operations to prevent a repeat of such unfortunate occurrences," Akinlosotu emphasized. The council's statement highlights ongoing concerns about inter-agency rivalry and its potential to derail critical security missions.
