Nyesom Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), faces mounting allegations of orchestrating a massive land allocation scheme to enrich his family, particularly his son Joaquin, in violation of federal regulations and the Nigerian Constitution.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/idrinstitute.png")
An ongoing investigation by Peoples Gazette has uncovered documents revealing that Wike allocated at least 2,082 hectares—equivalent to 40,000 plots—across prime areas like Maitama, Asokoro, Guzape, Kwaita, Bwari, and Gaduwa to his son’s company, Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd., since October 2024. The allocations, valued at a conservative $3.6 billion, have drawn sharp criticism for alleged illicit self-dealing and breaches of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
Last Christmas, Wike publicly challenged critics accusing him of seizing lands from ordinary citizens under his policy against “dormant allocations” to provide evidence. Now, Peoples Gazette’s review of land records suggests Wike dismissed these claims, possibly banking on avoiding exposure. Documents show that since assuming office on August 21, 2023, Wike has prioritized allocations to his family, notably his younger son Joaquin, in a manner two FCT officials described as “systemic illicit self-dealing.”
The Gazette found that Joaquin, via Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd., registered on October 10, 2024, received 350 hectares on October 17, 2024 (file number 155882, certificate of occupancy 0000162), followed by six more certificates on February 25, 2025 (file series 159134–159140, excluding 159135, which officials confirmed also went to Joaq Farms). On May 30, 2025, Wike signed off on 2.3 hectares in Gaduwa, a rapidly developing district. The total 2,082 hectares, with certificates of occupancy, are estimated to be worth at least $3.6 billion, with plots in Maitama and Asokoro recently sold for $1.28 million and $1.4 million, respectively.
While Nigeria’s Land Use Act does not explicitly prohibit allocating land to a minister’s family, Wike’s actions violate the Fifth Schedule of the 1999 Constitution, which prohibits public officers from engaging in conduct that conflicts with public interest or results in personal enrichment. The Gazette found Wike failed to pay ground rent, title registration, or survey fees for these allocations, contravening statutory requirements. Additionally, his reallocation of land previously granted to the Austrian mission in Abuja’s Central Area to himself raises further questions of abuse of office.
An FCT official, speaking anonymously due to Wike’s reported history of violence and alcoholism, revealed that when aides urged caution in April 2025, Wike dismissed them, declaring his goal to make his children “the largest landowners in Abuja.” The official noted, “We’ve worked with ministers before, but we have never seen anything even remotely comparable to this.” Another source estimated Wike may have approved over 3,500 hectares to Joaquin, though documents for the additional allocations were unavailable at press time.
Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd., registered at 13 Thaba Tseka Street, Wuse II (misspelled as “Theba” in documents), a known Wike-associated address, appears central to the scheme. Allocations targeted developing areas like Kwaita, Bwari, and Gaduwa, chosen for their commercial potential. At least five plots in the 2.3-hectare Gaduwa allocation were seized from a middle-class family, who declined to comment, fearing retaliation.
The Gazette reports that while Joaquin, who graduated high school in 2020, maintains a low profile, he has recently appeared alongside his father and elder brother Jordan at public events, including a December 27, 2024, meeting with President Bola Tinubu. Wike, who governed Rivers State from 2015 to 2023 and allegedly undermined the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to aid Tinubu’s 2023 election victory, has openly stated he is grooming his sons to inherit his political structure. Despite serving in Tinubu’s All Progressives Congress (APC) cabinet, Wike remains a PDP member, exacerbating the party’s internal crises.
The allocations coincide with reports of unpaid salaries for months at FCT departments, including broadcasting, environmental protection, and water bureaus, highlighting Wike’s prioritization of personal gain over public welfare. An aide to President Tinubu described Wike as “a serious liability” to the administration, noting that his actions distract from efforts to address Nigeria’s economic and security challenges. However, the aide suggested Tinubu may delay action due to political considerations ahead of the 2027 election.
Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, claimed ignorance of the allocations, stating, “I am not aware of any development as such and can’t give comments on what I don’t have knowledge of.”
A timely new publication, Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria, co-authored by Olumide Babalola and Uchenna Nnawuchi, 📘Casebook on Privacy & Data Protection in Nigeria is now available on Amazon: https://a.co/d/8TmFZrd
______________________________________________________________________
Groundbreaking Guide For Lawyers: Adigwe Publishes ‘Artificial Intelligence For Lawyers’ With Free Research eBook
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
______________________________________________________________________
Explore Nigeria’s Constitutional System — 17 Chapters, 924 Pages Of Insight By Prof. Hagler Sunny Okorie
The books are available for purchase at:
Online: www.educodex.com | www.selar.com | www.amazon.com | www.mikeozekhome.com
Enquiries: +234 704 044 9375 | +234 814 813 4773 | +234 816 872 3532
Email: educodexl@gmail.com
______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation
______________________________________________________________________
Alexander Payne Co. Law Reports
Contact & Orders 📞 0704 444 4777 | 0704 444 4999 | 0818 199 9888 🌐 www.alexandernigeria.com
