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| Nyesom Wike |
A Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to suspend the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over allegations of acquiring properties in the United States under suspicious circumstances.
The Ex-APC Spokesman who currently serves as Ambassador of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) to East Africa and the Middle East, made the appeal in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
Frank said Tinubu must break his silence on the matter and demonstrate consistency in the fight against corruption, recalling how the President swiftly suspended former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, over corruption allegations that were “far less serious” than those confronting Wike.
Media reports had alleged that Wike purchased property in Florida and registered them under the names of his wife, Justice Eberechi Wike, and their children, Joaquin, Jazmyne, and Jordan.
Frank described Tinubu’s silence on the matter despite “overwhelming evidence” in the public domain as troubling, adding that it sends a dangerous message that some officials are untouchable.
“With detailed reports from credible sources such as People's Gazette and SaharaReporters, and with glaring evidence ignored by anti-corruption agencies like EFCC and ICPC, it sends a dangerous message that some officials are untouchable,” Frank said.
He further warned that the impunity of government officials like Wike weakens citizens’ trust in governance and could fuel uprisings similar to the recent Nepal revolt.
Frank commended Omoyele Sowore of SaharaReporters, the publishers of People’s Gazette and others for “courageously exposing corruption in the country, irrespective of the government officials involved.”
He accused Tinubu of shielding Wike for political reasons ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that such selective justice would damage Nigeria’s global reputation and erode investor confidence.
“The reasons behind this continued inaction in the case of Wike appears to be tied to the political calculations surrounding the 2027 presidential elections.
“However, allowing political ambition to shield corruption will irreparably harm Nigeria’s reputation internationally.
“The world is watching, and this selective justice undermines investor confidence and portrays Nigeria as a nation unable or unwilling to fight corruption—even within its highest offices.”
Frank also criticised the President’s handling of the Rivers State political crisis, arguing that suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and House of Assembly members while leaving Wike untouched highlighted inconsistency and favoritism.
He urged Tinubu to immediately suspend Wike and commission an independent investigation into the allegations.
He said, “Furthermore, even when crises erupted in Rivers State, President Tinubu suspended only Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the House of Assembly members while leaving the Minister of FCT, Wike, untouched.
“This inconsistency fuels suspicions of favoritism and political shielding. Nigerians and the international community deserve to know why the President appears reluctant to confront alleged corruption linked to a close political ally.
“Selective enforcement of the law erodes national pride and makes Nigeria a laughing stock among peer nations, many of whom prosecute corruption allegations without hesitation.”
“The President should protect the dignity of Nigeria and the trust of its citizens by rejecting selective justice and political expediency. The integrity of Nigeria’s governance and its image on the global stage depend on it,” he added.
Omoyele Sowore had petitioned the Attorney General of Florida, Hon. James Uthmeier, seeking the forfeiture and prosecution of Wike over illicit property acquisitions in the United States.
In the petition dated September 22, 2025, and signed by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, Esq., Sowore accused Wike of secretly purchasing multi-million-dollar real estate in Florida using suspicious cash transactions designed to conceal the source of funds.
According to the petition, Wike, alongside his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, purchased three luxury lakeside properties in Winter Springs, Seminole County, Florida, valued at over $6 million.
The petition listed the properties as 113 Springcreek Lane, Winter Springs, FL 32708, which is a 5,000 sq. ft. residence purchased in cash for $535,000 and transferred to Jordan Wike (25); 209 Hertherwood Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708, which is a 3,401 sq. ft. home acquired for $459,157 in cash and transferred to Joaquin Wike (23); and 208 Hertherwood Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708, which is a 3,901 sq. ft. home bought for $465,000 in cash and transferred to Jazmyne Wike (20).
Sowore’s lawyers said the purchases were executed through quit claim deeds between July 2021 and September 2023 and transferred directly to Wike’s children. They argued that the cash-only acquisitions bypassed banking oversight and raised “serious money laundering concerns.”
Breach of Nigerian and U.S. Laws
The petition alleges that Wike failed to declare these foreign assets to Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as required under the Constitution.
It further noted that his legitimate income as a public servant since 1999 could not sustain such multi-million-dollar acquisitions.
The petition argued that the transactions violated both Florida state law and U.S. federal anti-money laundering statutes, specifically citing the Florida Money Laundering Act (Chapter 896.101, Fla. Stat.), the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, and federal laws under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957.
It also referenced the U.S. Department of Justice Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, which targets assets linked to corrupt foreign officials.
If it were to be in other climes, Wike would be sacked and probed with the speed of the light the moment he was accused of corruption. Nigeria is a country where laws are meant only for the poor, otherwise, Wike won't have the nerves to be granting interviews up and down after the weighty allegations made against him by Sowore. One thing is sure, one day, somebody somewhere is going to open these corrupt leaders' books for a thorough prosecution.
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