Explosive Allegations: Wike Accused Of Widespread Land Abuse And Corruption In Abuja

An exclusive investigation has uncovered shocking allegations of abuse of power by the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike. Citing insider sources and official documents, the report reveals a disturbing pattern of land misappropriation and corruption that threatens to tarnish Wike’s reputation.

Wike’s Land Grab: A Conservative Estimate of Over 2,000 Hectares

Since taking office in August 2023, Wike is accused of authorising the transfer of over 2,000 hectares of prime Abuja land to his son, Joaquin Wike. This land spans some of Abuja’s most prestigious districts — including Maitama, Asokoro, Guzape, Bwari, and Gaduwa — with an estimated market value of around $3.6 billion.

The report reveals that Wike bypassed established regulations and skipped essential payments, such as fees and levies, in apparent violation of the Nigerian Constitution and civil service ethics.

The Mechanics of Corruption: Land Allocations to Joaquin Wike’s Company

Records obtained by Peoples Gazette show that these allocations were funnelled through a recently registered company, Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd, registered just days before it started receiving land grants. The company’s registered address on Thaba Tseka Street, Wuse II, has long been linked to Wike’s business interests.

Significantly, on October 17, 2024, the minister allocated 350 hectares to Joaq Farms under file number 155882, with certificates of occupancy signed by Wike himself on several occasions, including six certificates issued on February 25, 2025. Another allocation was made just recently, in the Gaduwa District, further consolidating the impression that Joaquin Wike is being positioned to dominate Abuja’s lucrative real estate sector.

Land Reallocation and Disregard for Public Assets

Among the more controversial moves, Wike allegedly seized land from the Austrian Embassy in the Central Area and reallocated it to himself. Officials who reviewed the transactions claim he deliberately avoided paying ground rent, registration, and survey fees — clear violations of the public trust and the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.

One official conservatively estimates that Joaquin Wike could profit over $3.6 billion from these land holdings, given the value of the certificates of occupancy he holds. Shockingly, five plots of these lands were forcibly taken from a middle-class Nigerian family that chose to remain silent out of fear of retaliation.

Growing Distrust and Government Inaction

Despite these allegations, the FCT administration under Wike owes salaries to workers in several departments, including broadcasting, water, and environmental authorities, with many employees having gone unpaid for months. When approached for comment, Wike’s spokesperson, Lere Olayinka, claimed ignorance, stating, “I am not aware of any development as such.”

Insiders within the Presidency express concern over Wike’s unchecked power. A senior aide described him as “a serious liability to the Tinubu administration,” noting that while the government focuses on tackling the economy and insecurity, Wike continues to amass land and benefit personally from sensitive public assets.

Broader Implications and Public Discontent

In addition to the land scandal, Wike has been embroiled in other controversial land reallocations. Civil society organisations, such as the Transparency and Accountability Network, have accused him of reallocating a crucial national transport utility, the land reserved for the National Railway Station, to private interests despite prior warnings.

Harsher criticism came from human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju, who publicly condemned Wike for “grabbing people’s land” and allegedly giving it away to cronies — a move that has already displaced thousands of Abuja residents following demolitions carried out by the FCT Joint Task Force.

The Road Ahead

As relations between Wike and the federal government remain tense, many wonder how and when — if at all — these allegations will be formally addressed. With ongoing strikes by teachers over unpaid wages and protests from civil society, the future of accountability in Abuja hangs in the balance.

This damning exposé raises urgent questions: How much wealth has Wike accumulated through these alleged land deals? Will justice prevail for those displaced or affected? And what does this mean for the integrity of Nigeria’s governance?

Stay tuned as more details emerge in this unfolding story of power, corruption, and the future of Abuja’s land administration.