Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Chief Nyesom Wike, has alleged that Omoyele Sowore, publisher of Sahara Reporters and 2023 presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), failed to declare a foreign property in his assets declaration to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
In a statement issued on Thursday, Olayinka cited a 2022 report by a national daily which stated that Sowore declared ownership of a single property valued at ₦5 million and a 2008 Toyota Camry in the build-up to the 2023 general election.
Olayinka claimed that at the time, Sowore also owned a mansion in the United States worth about $552,000 (approximately ₦850 million), which he allegedly did not disclose to the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).
He argued that such an omission could amount to perjury under Nigerian law, noting that violations of the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act attract penalties including asset forfeiture and a 10-year ban from holding public office.
He also pointed to provisions of the Criminal Code prescribing up to 14 years’ imprisonment for perjury.
Olayinka said he had tendered what he described as evidence linking the Sahara Reporters publisher to the US property.
As at press time, Sowore had yet to respond to the allegation.
