Wike Accused of Concealing U.S. Assets, Violating Nigerian Asset Declaration Laws
Human rights lawyer and former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Professor Chidi Odinkalu, has accused the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of violating Nigeria’s asset declaration laws by failing to disclose multimillion-dollar foreign properties linked to his wife and children. According to a recent investigation by West Africa Weekly, Wike secretly acquired a $2 million mansion in Florida, registered under the names of his wife, Justice Eberechi Wike, and their three children — Joaquin, Jazmyne, and Jordan Wike. U.S. public records show the property, located at 113 Spring Creek Lane, Winter Springs, Florida, was purchased in March 2025. The two-storey home sits on over 4,000 square feet and includes multiple bedrooms and private parking. The report also revealed that Justice Eberechi Wike, a judge at Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, is a registered member of the U.S. Democratic Party — a clear violation of Nigeria’s Judicial Code of Conduct, which prohibits judges from political party affiliations. Odinkalu Slams Wike’s Defence In a televised interview last week, Wike dismissed the allegations, claiming the Florida mansion was a “gift to my wife from her family” and insisting, “I don’t even like going to America.” Odinkalu fired back on social media, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “The #DrunkenGlutton has clearly not read the #AssetDeclaration rules… assets in the name of his wife & children since 2008 concern him because they shd be declared.” Under Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal Act, public officers must declare assets owned by themselves, their spouses, and their underage children. Failure to do so could lead to removal from office or prosecution. Sowore Petitions U.S. Authorities Separately, activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has petitioned the Florida Attorney General, Hon. James Uthmeier, seeking forfeiture and criminal investigation of Wike’s U.S. real estate purchases. According to the petition, signed by lawyer Deji Adeyanju, the Wike family acquired three luxury homes in Winter Springs, Florida, worth over $6 million, all in cash transactions, allegedly to evade banking oversight. The properties include: The petition cites possible violations of both Florida’s Money Laundering Act and U.S. federal anti-money laundering laws, including the Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative. Land Allocation Scandals in Abuja These revelations follow earlier reports by Peoples Gazette, accusing Wike of abusing his office to allocate over 2,000 hectares of Abuja land — worth an estimated $3.6 billion — to his son and other family members since assuming office in August 2023. Documents reveal that on July 16, 2025, Wike signed 33 land allocations for family members, including his 90-year-old father, cousins, nephews, and siblings. Similar allocations had occurred as far back as April 2025, involving close relatives. Wike has denied all allegations of misconduct. Mounting Calls for Accountability The growing list of accusations has intensified pressure on the FCT Minister, with civil society groups and legal experts calling for investigations by both Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau and relevant U.S. authorities. As public scrutiny mounts, Wike’s political future — and potential legal liability — may hinge on the outcomes of these high-profile investigations.
