Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has accused activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore, of making a false declaration of assets during the 2023 general elections.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
In a statement issued on Friday, Olayinka alleged that Sowore, who contested the last presidential election on the platform of the African Action Congress (AAC), failed to declare ownership of a luxury property in the United States valued at $552,000 (about ₦850 million).
According to him, this omission contradicted Sowore’s public declaration to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) ahead of the 2023 polls, where he reportedly claimed ownership of only one property worth ₦5 million and a 2008 Toyota Camry.
“But as at that time, Sowore owned a property in the U.S. which he bought at $552,000. He did not declare this property, thereby lying on oath in his Code of Conduct asset declaration and this is a criminal offense,” Olayinka alleged.
The minister’s aide further argued that Sowore’s alleged conduct violated provisions of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, which mandates full disclosure of assets by political candidates and public office holders.
“Violations attract severe penalties, such as asset forfeiture and a 10-year ban from holding public office. Lying on oath is also a criminal offense, which attracts 14 years imprisonment,” Olayinka stated.
Beyond the asset declaration issue, Olayinka also took aim at Sowore’s personal life, questioning the activist’s sources of wealth. He alleged that Sowore’s 14-year-old son attends an elite school in New Jersey, USA, with an annual tuition fee of $163,815 (about ₦250 million) plus an additional $700 for an iPad.
He suggested that the expenses were being funded from questionable sources.
“Sowore is lavishing the millions he is getting from blackmailing people and the millions of dollars in grants he is receiving from his cashtivist business,” Olayinka claimed.
Sowore, a longtime critic of successive Nigerian governments and an anti-corruption advocate, has built his public image around transparency, accountability, and exposing alleged abuses of power.
As of the time of filing this report, Sowore has not publicly responded to the accusations.
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