President Bola Tinubu has directed a probe into allegations of corruption and abuse of office against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, following reports that he allocated prime Abuja land worth over $3.6 billion to his son, Joaquin.
Sources confirmed to The Peoples Gazette that Tinubu gave the order on Thursday night, with the details of the investigation finalized by Friday afternoon.
“The president found the report concerning and has asked for an investigation to determine if there was any illegal enrichment,” a presidential aide said anonymously. “The Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) will coordinate the probe. We encourage whistleblowers to always come forward.”
It remains unclear if anti-graft agencies such as the EFCC or ICPC will be involved in the process, and the SGF’s office has yet to issue a formal comment. Sources suggested the presidency may have chosen not to publicize the probe to avoid appearing confrontational, given Wike’s praised performance on capital projects.
Anti-corruption campaigner Lanre Suraju urged the administration to ensure the investigation is thorough and transparent. “This is a serious allegation, and past investigations have been undermined by political loyalty and lack of accountability. There must be forensic analysis and proper oversight involving professional law enforcement,” he said.
It had been earlier reported that Wike allegedly allocated around 2,082 hectares of high-value land to his son via a company, Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd. The land, located within the Federal Capital Territory, is estimated to be worth over $3.6 billion.
Amid public backlash, Wike claimed the land was granted to a farming company without disclosing it belonged to his son. He also argued that no law barred him from allocating land to family members—a claim that contradicts Article 5 of the Fifth Schedule of the Nigerian Constitution, which prohibits public officials from using their positions for personal benefit.
