Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timi Frank, has launched a blistering attack on President Bola Tinubu following the secret conferment of the Grand Commander of the Order of the Niger (GCON) on billionaire businessman Gilbert Chagoury.
GCON – is Nigeria’s second highest national honor reserved for vice presidents, senate presidents and those who have served Nigeria and Nigeria’s interests in the highest capacities.
It is second only to Grand Commander of the Federal Republic (GCFR), now only awarded to Nigerian presidents.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Frank described the decision to bestow Nigeria’s second-highest national honour on Chagoury as a “sad day” for the country.
He argued that the award signals the official normalisation of corruption at the highest levels of government and undermines Nigeria’s anti-corruption efforts.
“Today ranks among the saddest days of my life as a Nigerian,” Frank said. “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.”
The award was conferred by President Tinubu on 8 January, coinciding with Chagoury’s 80th birthday, but only became public after billionaire Femi Otedola shared a congratulatory message on X.
Allegations Against Chagoury
Frank referenced widely reported allegations and judicial findings linking Chagoury to money laundering during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha.
He recalled that a Swiss court convicted Chagoury in 2000 in connection with laundering Abacha’s funds, after which he paid a fine of one million Swiss francs and returned about $66 million to the Nigerian government.
He questioned the criteria used to award Chagoury, asking Nigerians to demand clarity on his contributions to national development.
“What hospitals, schools, or scholarships has he built or funded to merit this honour?” Frank asked.
He warned against normalising foreign influence over Nigeria’s economic interests, stating: “Nigeria should not become a theatre where corruption is rewarded, conflicts of interest are ignored, and foreign influence is leveraged against national and allied economic interests.”
Chagoury’s Business Empire
Chagoury’s business interests span the Chagoury Group, which operates across construction, real estate, hospitality, healthcare, industrial services, telecommunications, water purification, flour milling, insurance, furniture manufacturing, catering, and international financing.
The group has been involved in major infrastructure projects, including the $11 billion Lagos–Calabar coastal highway and the N1.1 trillion renovation of Tincan and Apapa Ports.
The businessman is closely associated with President Tinubu, with ties dating back to Tinubu’s tenure as Governor of Lagos State from 1999 to 2007.
The Chagoury family reportedly maintains ongoing business and personal connections with the Tinubu family.
Some reports suggest that Seyi Tinubu, the president’s son, was a majority shareholder in a British Virgin Islands company alongside Ronald Chagoury Jr., highlighting the intergenerational nature of their business relationship.
Seyi Tinubu also serves on the board of CDK Integrated Industries, a Chagoury Group subsidiary.
Past Controversies
Chagoury’s earlier involvement in facilitating the transfer of funds looted under the Abacha regime has drawn international attention.
Court records and US investigative reports indicate that he created accounts in Geneva to move over $120 million from the Central Bank of Nigeria on behalf of the Abacha family.
Despite his conviction in Switzerland and repayment of $66 million to the Nigerian government, Chagoury has continued to expand his business operations in Nigeria and secure government contracts, particularly in Lagos.
The award has sparked widespread debate over the message it sends regarding accountability and governance.
Some critics say conferring national honours on individuals with contested histories may erode public trust in institutions and shape perceptions of Nigeria’s anti-corruption stance.
Meanwhile, Chagoury has received public congratulations from Otedola, who praised his role in Lagos development projects such as Eko Atlantic City and Banana Island.
The presidency has yet to issue an official statement regarding the award, leaving questions about the criteria and process for selecting honourees unanswered.
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