Tinubu reportedly orders probe of Wike over $3.6 billion Abuja land allocation to son
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reportedly ordered an investigation into Abuja Minister Nyesom Wike over allegations that he allocated over 2,000 hectares of valuable land in the Federal Capital Territory to his son, Joaquin Wike. The land, estimated to be worth more than $3.6 billion, was granted under the name of Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd, a company owned by the minister’s son, according to The Peoples Gazette.
Presidency sources said Tinubu issued the directive on Thursday night, with plans for the probe taking clearer shape by Friday afternoon. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) has been assigned to coordinate the investigation. A senior official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the president viewed the reported land allocations as suspicious and ordered a probe to determine whether Wike used his office for personal gain.
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It is not yet confirmed whether agencies such as the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) will take part in the inquiry. A spokesperson for SGF George Akume did not respond to requests for comment.
A source suggested that the lack of public announcement might be intentional, as Tinubu may be trying to avoid the appearance of political confrontation with Wike, who has received praise for his work on federal projects in Abuja.
Anti-corruption advocate Lanre Suraju called for a thorough and transparent investigation, warning that past probes often failed due to political interference and lack of accountability. He urged the inclusion of seasoned investigators, forensic experts, and corporate registry analysts to ensure credibility.
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Amid mounting public criticism, Wike defended the land allocations by claiming they were made for agricultural purposes and denied any wrongdoing. However, he did not disclose the company’s ownership ties to his family. His justification also appears to conflict with Article 5 of the Fifth Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits public officials from using their position for personal benefit.
Wike’s spokesperson declined to comment when asked if the minister would cooperate with the investigation.
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