By HeadlineNews.news Editorial Team.
Abuja | June 26, 2025
The Claim.
A report by People’s Gazette alleges that FCT Minister Nyesom Wike allocated 2,082 hectares of prime land—worth approximately $3.6 billion—in high-brow districts like Maitama and Asokoro to his son, Joaquim Wike, via a newly formed company, JoaQ Farms and Estates Ltd . The allocations reportedly bypassed standard fees and regulations and may include land seized from federal or diplomatic entities.
Minister’s Response
Wike’s camp, via spokesperson Lere Olayinka, dismisses the claims as malicious falsehoods and “quack journalism” . They state no lands were allocated to his children, clarifying that JoaQ Farms only holds agricultural land in Bwari Area—not high-profile districts .
Governance Norms
Maitama and Asokoro are among Abuja’s most expensive neighborhoods, hosting high-ranking embassies and government institutions .
Ministerial land allocation is governed by:
Land Use Act (1978), ensuring fairness and transparency.
Code of Conduct for Public Officers under the 1999 Constitution.
Allegations of office abuse or favoritism violate both laws and public trust, contributing to broader concerns about corruption in the FCT Administration.
Comparative Perspective
In June 2024, FCT Minister Mohammed Bello briefly faced similar scrutiny over preferential plot allocations, leading to a suspended inquiry.
The recurring pattern—ministerial land allocations under controversy—raises concerns about governance standards and enforcement across successive administrations.
Concerned Voices
A People’s Gazette insider:
“When we told the minister… he said his goal was to make [his children] the largest landowners in Abuja.”
A Senior State House aide (anonymous):
“Wike is a serious liability to the Tinubu administration… he’s busy seizing lands… while we’re focused on the economy and insecurity.”
What We Know vs. What We Don’t
Known Facts Unverified Claims
JoaQ Farms registered in Oct 2024; received agricultural land in Bwari. Allocation of 2,000 + hectares in Maitama, Asokoro and Asokoro, worth $3.6bn.
Minister’s office denies wrongful allocations to his son. Claims of skipped fees, seized diplomatic land, and certificate manipulations.
Allegation spread widely across media and social platforms. Documentary evidence of specific certificates or transaction records still sought.
Analysis & Conclusion
The controversy strikes at governance norms, ethics, and public trust in the FCT Administration. If proven, it represents a severe abuse of insider power. But without independent verification of certificates or recipient names, it remains an unproven allegation.
The key questions now are:
1. Can People’s Gazette produce the land documents—even under judicial scrutiny?
2. Will the Ministry or relevant authorities initiate an impartial investigation?
Public & Official Reaction
Civil society groups and legal scholars are demanding clarity and transparency—echoing past outcries against similar ministerial conduct.
Opposition figures argue this reflects a pattern of persistent land-grabbing by political elites.
The Tinubu administration faces increasing pressure to either verify or debunk the claims conclusively.
In Summary
This unfolding drama underscores the crucial need for accountability, rule of law, and transparency in land allocation by public officials.
For Nigerians, it serves as a reminder: public office is public trust—and any suspected betrayal deserves rigorous scrutiny and proven resolution.
Headlinenews.news Special Investigative Report.
