A group of Nigerian journalists led by Yinka Tella has launched a petition urging the United States Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the Florida State
A group of Nigerian journalists led by Yinka Tella has launched a petition urging the United States Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the Florida State government to investigate alleged fraudulent real estate purchases made in Florida by Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike.
The petition, initiated by Imoh Oton on the online platform Change.org, is titled “Investigate real estate fraud by Nigerian minister Nyesom Wike in Florida.”
“Should any illegal activities be found, we insist on the commencement of forfeiture actions against any fraudulently acquired properties. This will send a resounding message to those who believe they can exploit foreign lands to harbor their ill-gotten wealth,” the petition said.
The petitioners linked Wike’s alleged conduct to a wider trend of corruption among Nigerian public officials.
They further alleged: “Among these dubious activities is the allegedly fraudulent purchase of real estate in Florida by Nigerian Minister Nyesom Wike. This situation not only underscores the persistent issue of corruption but further highlights the brazen audacity with which these individuals operate without fear of repercussions.”
The petitioners said Florida must not be used as a safe haven for looted funds from Nigeria.
“Florida has always been a land of opportunity, a place where people look to achieve their dreams through honest means. It is for this very reason that we are calling on Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Florida State government to take immediate and decisive action. We demand a thorough investigation into Minister Wike’s real estate purchases in Florida, ensuring that they were conducted legally and ethically,” they wrote.
“The investigation would serve as a beacon of hope, proving that justice remains a stronghold in the face of corruption,” the petition added.
The journalists framed the petition as part of a broader struggle against corruption and mismanagement in Nigeria, warning that such misconduct worsens the country’s economic crisis.
“The current socio-economic challenges faced by Nigeria are too severe for such gross misconduct to persist unaddressed. It is an affront not only to Nigerians but also to the values of integrity and fairness that Florida upholds,” they noted.
They concluded with a call for support, saying, “By signing this petition, you are standing against corruption and advocating for justice. Help us ensure that our resources are protected and that those who wish to exploit them are held accountable for their actions.
“Let us unite in demanding transparency and justice. Please sign this petition today and make a stand against corruption that steals from the future of Nigeria and tarnishes the integrity of international transactions.”
Earlier, human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, stated that steps were underway to secure an international arrest warrant against Wike and extradite him to the U.S. over allegations of money laundering.
Sowore, convener of #RevolutionNow Movement, made this known in a post on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account on Monday.
Sowore accused Wike of using stolen funds to acquire luxury properties in Florida, U.S., in the names of his children.
On Monday, Sowore petitioned the Attorney General of Florida, Hon. James Uthmeier, seeking the forfeiture and prosecution of Wike over illicit property acquisitions in the U.S. In the petition dated September 22, 2025, and signed by his lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, Esq., Sowore accused Wike of secretly purchasing multi-million-dollar real estate in Florida using suspicious cash transactions designed to conceal the source of funds.
According to the petition, Wike, a former Rivers State Governor, alongside his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, purchased three luxury lakeside properties in Winter Springs, Seminole County, Florida, valued at over $6 million.
The petition listed the properties as 113 Springcreek Lane, Winter Springs, FL 32708, which is a 5,000 sq. ft. residence purchased in cash for $535,000 and transferred to Jordan Wike (25); 209 Hertherwood Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708, which is a 3,401 sq. ft. home acquired for $459,157 in cash and transferred to Joaquin Wike (23); and 208 Hertherwood Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708, which is a 3,901 sq. ft. home bought for $465,000 in cash and transferred to Jazmyne Wike (20).
Sowore’s lawyers said the purchases were executed through quit claim deeds between July 2021 and September 2023 and transferred directly to Wike’s children. They argued that the cash-only acquisitions bypassed banking oversight and raised serious money laundering concerns.
The petition alleges that Wike failed to declare these foreign assets to Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) as required under the Constitution. It further noted that his legitimate income as a public servant since 1999 could not sustain such multi-million-dollar acquisitions.
The petition argued that the transactions violated both Florida state law and U.S. federal anti-money laundering statutes, specifically citing the Florida Money Laundering Act (Chapter 896.101, Fla. Stat.), the Florida Contraband Forfeiture Act, and federal laws under 18 U.S.C. §§ 1956 and 1957.
Sowore also referenced the U.S. Department of Justice Kleptocracy Asset Recovery Initiative, which targets assets linked to corrupt foreign officials.
