Federal Capital Territory (FCT) minister Nyesom Wike has denied fresh allegations linking him to properties in the United States, months after he was accused of acquiring a mansion in Abuja under the name of his son, Jordan.
Last week, human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, petitioned the attorney general of Florida, calling for the forfeiture of the alleged assets, prosecution of those involved and the imposition of a visa ban on Wike.
Mr Sowore alleged that a property located at 113 Spring Creek Lane, Winter Springs, Florida, was purchased by the minister in March and registered in the names of his children, Joaquin, Jazmyne and Jordan, together with his wife, Justice Eberechi Wike, a serving judge.
The claims have also prompted some groups to call on President Bola Tinubu and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to investigate.
Reacting in an interview with Daily Independent on Sunday, Mr Wike’s media aide, Lere Olayinka, said the minister has already spoken publicly on the matter and remains unbothered.
“The minister has nothing to hide. He said the properties belong to his in-laws who are citizens of America. His in-laws willed the properties to his wife, who is also an American citizen. The wife now willed the property to her children. The children too are Americans,” Olayinka explained.
He added that property records being circulated are public documents that can be accessed online and dismissed videos of a hotel in Port Harcourt linked to Wike as old information.
Olayinka also accused Sowore of running a protest-driven business enterprise, alleging that he is being sponsored by political interests opposed to Wike’s role in the Tinubu administration.
In June, Nyesom Wike was accused of acquiring a multi-billion-naira mansion in Abuja and registering it in the name of his son, Jordan.
The allegation sparked public debate and calls for investigation, but the minister dismissed it as false.
Olayinka maintained that the minister remains focused on his assignment in the FCT. “The minister is not distracted at all. He is focused on the task given to him by Mr President and Nigerians are seeing the works he is doing in the FCT,” he said.
