‘$2.1m fraud’: Wike’s son claimed father’s approval for Abuja land allocations, businessman tells EFCC

Safwan Garba, a businessman and his firm, GY Global Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited, have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleging that Jordan Nyesom-Wike, son of Nyesom Wike, minister of the federal capital territory (FCT), claimed to have his father’s knowledge and approval to facilitate the allocation of 60 hectares of land in Abuja.

In a petition dated December 11, 2025, and signed by their lawyer, Hamza Dantani, the petitioners alleged that Jordan promised to secure 30 hectares each in Katampe and Guzape, assuring them that he routinely facilitated land allocations and had his father’s backing.

They accused Jordan of fraud, obtaining by false pretences, criminal misappropriation and conversion of $2.1 million allegedly paid for the proposed land allocations.

According to the petition, Jordan reinforce his claims by calling his father on the telephone in the businessman’s presence, ostensibly to inform him of the proposed transaction.

“Our client met Jordan Nyesom-Wike in London, following which the two developed a rapport,” the petition reads.

“Upon returning to Nigeria about three months ago, Jordan met with our client. He promised to facilitate the acquisition of land within the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), based on his prior representations that he routinely provided such facilitation and that he had his father’s knowledge and approval, as the Honourable Minister of the FCT.

“To strengthen these representations, Jordan placed a telephone call to his father in the presence of our client, ostensibly informing him of the intended transaction.

“Jordan thereafter assured our client that he could secure 30 hectares of land in Katampe and 30 hectares in Guzape.

“Jordan demanded and received the sum of USD2,000,000 (Two Million United States Dollars) as the fee he would deliver to his father, the Honourable Minister, to facilitate the land allocation.

“Additionally, our client paid USD100,000 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to Jordan as his personal facilitation fee.

“These amounts were paid in cash on 17th October 2025, at the insistence of Jordan Nyesom-Wike, in the presence of the following witnesses: Adamu Sani and Aliyu Sarki. Jordan was accompanied by one Onor Sandy, whom he introduced as his friend and associate.

“Jordan promised to deliver the land allocations within one month. After receiving the funds, he failed to deliver on the agreement and became incommunicado.

“The UK phone number he provided is no longer reachable, and all attempts by our client, including through individuals known to the Honourable Minister, to establish contact with him have failed.

“Based on the foregoing, our client reasonably believes that Jordan Nyesom-Wike has committed offences, including but not limited to: Obtaining by False Pretence contrary to Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act; Fraud; Criminal Misappropriation; and Criminal Conversion of the sum of USD2,100,000 entrusted to him.

“Our client hereby requests that the Commission: commence an immediate investigation into the actions of Jordan Nyesom-Wike; arrest and interrogate Jordan Nyesom-Wike; and initiate prosecution where the investigation establishes criminal liability.

“Our client is prepared to provide all necessary help, including the witnesses and any further information that may assist the Commission.

“We trust in the professionalism and diligence of the EFCC and kindly request prompt action on this matter. Attached is the Acknowledgment of Payment signed by Jordan Wike.”

Addressing journalists at the federal high court in Abuja on Monday, Ibrahim Waru, counsel for the claimants, said the EFCC had acknowledged receipt of the petition but had yet to act on it.

Waru said the petition was intended to prompt an investigation into the alleged criminal aspects of the dispute, separate from the civil proceedings already pending before the FCT high court.

Meanwhile, Silvanus Oriji, judge of the FCT high court, has fixed December 1 for the continuation of hearing in the civil suit, marked CV/008/2026, filed by the claimants against Jordan.

Jordan has denied the allegations, telling the court that he was not in Nigeria on the date the claimants said they handed the money to him.

He tendered his international passport in support of his position, maintaining that he travelled outside the country with his American passport during the period in question.

The claimants have also petitioned the chief judge of the FCT high court, seeking Oriji’s removal from the case over an alleged relationship with the minister’s family.