Wike Appoints Appeal Court President as Chair of IBB Golf Club BoT

Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike has appointed Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, as Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the IBB International Golf and Country Club in Abuja.

The appointment was announced during the inauguration of the board held on Friday at the minister’s official residence in Life Camp. Dongban-Mensem succeeds I.B.M. Haruna in the role. Other members appointed to the board include Olusegun Runsewe, Grace Ihonvbere, S.L. Ameh, Hamid Abbo, Victor Adedipe, Patrick Chidolue, and Ikokwu.

Wike said the decision to constitute the new board was driven by the need to revive the club, which he described as having faced prolonged internal crises. He emphasized the seriousness of the administration’s commitment by appointing a top judicial figure to lead the board.

“There has been crisis at the IBB Golf Club and as the owner of that golf course, we cannot fold our hands and see things deteriorate,” Wike said. “So, for us to have a board of trustees that could be led by the president of the court of appeal, you know that we are not joking at all. We will do everything we can to give the club the necessary support.”

The minister also reaffirmed the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA)’s ownership of the golf course, addressing misconceptions regarding land ownership. He explained that the issuance of Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) does not equate to ownership transfer.

“You must know that we are still the owners of the golf course. It is not privatised,” he said. “Some of you have held the view that because government gave you C of O, it means that the property belongs to you. No.”

Justice Dongban-Mensem, in her response, thanked the minister for the confidence placed in the board and promised to work towards restoring unity and progress at the club.

“We know that we’ve been given a tall order to watch over the club and it is not a mean assignment,” she said. “We shall try our best to ensure that all frayed nerves are calmed.”

She called on fellow board members to work in harmony and urged the outgoing chairman and former board members to support the new leadership.