(DDM) – Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, has come under fresh global spotlight following allegations of secretly acquiring multimillion-dollar properties in the United States.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) gathered that a petition filed by activist and Sahara Reporters publisher, Omoyele Sowore, has been sent to Florida’s Attorney General, James Uthmeier.
The petition demands criminal prosecution, asset forfeiture, and the imposition of sanctions on the influential Nigerian politician.
It further urges the U.S. government to slam visa bans on Mr. Wike over what Sowore described as suspicious property deals designed to conceal illicit wealth.
According to the petition, Wike, with the alleged involvement of his wife, Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, acquired three prime lakeside mansions in Seminole County, Florida.
The luxury homes, reportedly worth over six million U.S. dollars, were allegedly purchased between 2021 and 2023, during and after Wike’s tenure as governor of Rivers State.
Documents cited in the petition claim the properties were transferred under the names of his children, Jordan, Joaquin, and Jazmyne, using cash-backed quitclaim deeds.
Critics argue that the method of transfer not only raises transparency concerns but also fits patterns often linked to laundering of illicit proceeds.
The activist insists that Wike failed to declare the Florida assets to Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB), a move that would constitute a breach of the country’s constitution.
Sowore accused the former governor of exploiting political privilege to stash wealth abroad while ordinary Nigerians continue to grapple with hardship.
He noted that the timing of the acquisitions, coinciding with Wike’s years in office, demands thorough investigation from U.S. authorities.
The petition also appeals to Washington to set a strong precedent by penalizing corrupt foreign officials who allegedly launder stolen wealth into American real estate.
Political observers say the allegations, if pursued, could strain Wike’s influence both at home and abroad.
The embattled FCT Minister remains a key political figure within President Bola Tinubu’s administration and has been central to the ongoing Rivers State political drama.
But fresh scrutiny from Washington could dent his international standing and complicate his political maneuvering in Nigeria.
This is not the first time Nigerian politicians have faced foreign probes over asset declarations abroad.
In past years, several high-profile figures have been linked to hidden properties in the U.S. and UK, sparking concerns about capital flight and abuse of office.
Sowore’s petition adds to the growing pressure on Nigerian anti-corruption agencies, who critics accuse of selective enforcement and shielding powerful political actors.
For now, Wike has not issued a public response to the explosive allegations, even as calls mount for transparency over the ownership of the Florida properties.
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