Fresh damning revelations have exposed how Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, secretly acquired a $2 million mansion in Florida, United States, and concealed ownership by registering the property in the names of his wife, Justice Eberechi Wike, and their three children, Joaquin, Jazmyne, and Jordan.
President Bola Tinubu appointed former Rivers State Governor Wike as Minister of the Federal Capital Territory in August 2023.
The documents, obtained by West Africa Weekly, also show that Justice Wike is a registered member of the U.S. Democratic Party, a status that places her in violation of Nigeria’s Judicial Code of Conduct, which prohibits judges from partisan political affiliations.
According to official U.S. public records, the Wike family quietly secured the property in March 2025.
The residence, located at 113 Spring Creek Lane, Winter Springs, Florida 32708, is a two-storey mansion built in 1997 on a 4,076-square-foot lot. It features multiple bedrooms, a garage, and two dedicated parking spaces.
A source familiar with the deal, who spoke to West Africa Weekly on condition of anonymity, confirmed that Wike deliberately omitted his name from the purchase, using his wife’s and children’s identities to shield himself from scrutiny regarding asset declaration obligations and questions about the source of funds.
The revelations come amid mounting scandals involving the controversial minister, who was recently linked to a staggering $3.6 billion FCT land-grab scheme allegedly facilitated through his son, Joaquin.
The West Africa Weekly report noted that with an official annual salary and allowances of about N7.8 million (roughly $5,000), there is no legitimate way for Wike to amass over $2 million for such a luxury acquisition without dipping into public resources.
The hidden Florida purchase now raises fresh concerns of illicit enrichment and cross-border money laundering, potentially violating Nigeria’s Money Laundering (Prevention and Prohibition) Act, 2022.
Equally troubling is the involvement of his wife, Justice Eberechi Wike, a serving judicial officer.
By aligning herself with the U.S. Democratic Party, she runs afoul of the Nigerian Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers (Rule 9.3a), which explicitly bars judges from joining political organizations or engaging in activities that may compromise their impartiality.
Furthermore, her participation in the property acquisition conflicts with Rule 1.2 and 5c of the same Code, which demands strict avoidance of impropriety or even the appearance of impropriety by members of the bench.
The exposure of the Wike family’s U.S. asset also shines a spotlight on the perceived hypocrisy of Washington.
In July, the U.S. Embassy in Abuja publicly criticised Nigerian officials for reckless spending and corruption. Yet, it now appears that American authorities may have turned a blind eye to the laundering of millions in suspected illicit funds through their real estate market by a serving Nigerian cabinet minister.
In July, the minister was also accused of allocating prime Abuja lands to his family members and friends.
According to documents cited by Peoples Gazette, Wike signed 33 approvals for land allocations to his family and friends, including his 90-year-old father, Joshua Nlemanya Wike, who received a plot of land in Guzape II worth N400 million.
The allocations, which were made on July 16, 2025, also included lands for Wike’s paternal cousin, Believe Wike; nephew, Victor Wike; nephew, Henry Wike; and cousin, Enwusonye Promise Wike. Other beneficiaries included eight family members of James Hunwo, who received individual allocations on the same day.
This is not the first time Wike has been accused of allocating lands to his family members. In April 2025, reports revealed that six of his family members, including his brothers and sisters, were allocated lands in Guzape II.
The beneficiaries were Vincent Ejike Wike, Chidi Sam Wike, Chituru Wike, Christian Ibebulachi Wike, Collins Ngeme Wike, and Emmanuel Okanwene Wike.
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