JUST-IN: Wike vows immediate action and declares Abuja's "Park and Pay" policy illegal.

The contentious "Park and Pay" policy in place in Abuja has been deemed unlawful by Wike.

On Wednesday, to commemorate one year in office, Wike made the announcement during a live media debate with journalists in Abuja.

The minister for the Federal Capital Territory disclosed that a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) had alerted him to the fraud, which has been embezzling public cash while posing as a legitimate legal business. Wike claimed that the scheme featured private consultants who kept much of the money meant for the government in their own pockets.

"A scheme that has been siphoning government funds under the guise of a legal operation was brought to light by a call from a Senior Advocate," Wike said "We must combat these issues within the system. Sometimes we might not know if you don't bring it to our attention. We are unable to be everywhere.

The incident was discovered after the Senior Lawyer notified Wike of people posing as representatives of the Transport Secretariat and trying to take cars under the guise of the "Park and Pay" program. The Advocate added, "Sir, some people came to our office and they are trying to seize our cars," according to Wike's account of the exchange. Their affiliation with the Transport Secretariat was asserted. "Who are you?" I asked the individual after asking him to hand me the phone. He identified himself as coming from the Transport Secretariat's "Park and Pay."

Wike, unaware of such actions, promptly asked for explanation. "I called the guy in charge of it because I was unaware of this. "Who collects the money?" I inquired. We are unaware of any agreements that may exist between the secretariat and certain individuals posing as consultants. Accordingly, the FCT government pays 20% and the consultant takes 80%," he clarified.

Wike adamantly declared that the operators' actions were unlawful and promised to take prompt action to shut down the "Park and Pay" activity. "I'm attempting to argue that it's unlawful, and there isn't anything comparable. The FCT Minister added, "And I wouldn't have known if my colleague hadn't phoned me.