By Gabriel Ameh
…Demands $6m Assets Forfeiture, Prosecution, and Visa Ban
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate, Omoyele Sowore, has taken his corruption battle beyond Nigeria’s borders, petitioning the Attorney-General of Florida, James Uthmeier, to seize and prosecute alleged multi-million-dollar properties linked to FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike.
In a petition signed by his counsel, Deji Adeyanju, and dated September 22, Sowore accused Wike and his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, of secretly purchasing three prime lakeside properties in Winter Springs, Florida, worth over $6 million.
The acquisitions, allegedly made entirely in cash, were flagged as attempts to sidestep U.S. banking oversight and launder public funds.
The petition listed the properties as follows:
113 Springcreek Lane – $535,000, registered under Jordan Wike.
209 Hertherwood Court – $459,157, transferred to Joaquin Wike.
208 Hertherwood Court – $465,000, transferred to Jazmyne Wike.
Sowore noted that Wike, “a lifelong politician with no traceable private income,” could not have earned the fortune to fund such acquisitions, while also failing to declare them to Nigeria’s Code of Conduct Bureau.
“This is a clear case of illicit wealth transfer and concealment,” the petition read. “Florida must not allow its real estate market to be a safe haven for funds stolen from Nigerians.”
He urged the Attorney-General to launch a full investigation, commence forfeiture proceedings, prosecute all involved, and place a visa ban on the minister. The petition was also copied to the U.S. Department of Justice and the American Embassy in Nigeria
