Wike’s son dragged to EFCC over alleged $2.1m land deal

Jordan, son of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has been dragged before the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over his alleged involvement in a botched $2.1m land transaction in the nation’s capital.

This is just as Justice Silvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court fixed December 1 for the continuation of the civil suit marked: CV/008/2026, which the claimants filed against Jordan.

Wike’s son was taken to the Court after the alleged failed real estate transaction with the two claimants – Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil and Gas Nigeria Limited.

Daily Trust reports that the claimants are seeking to recover the $2.1m they allegedly paid to Jordan in connection with a proposed property development venture involving land in Katampe and Guzape.

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Speaking to journalists on Monday at the court premises, counsel to the claimants, Ibrahim Waru revealed that the EFCC had acknowledged receipt of the plaintiff’s petition, adding that the anti-graft agency was yet to act on it.

According to him, the civil aspect of the dispute is already pending before the High Court of the FCT, while the petition was filed so the EFCC could investigate the alleged criminal elements.

The petition, a copy of which was sighted by our correspondent, the claimants’ representative met Jordan in London, where the two developed a rapport.

They explained that after returning to Nigeria, Jordan allegedly promised to facilitate the acquisition of land in the FCT, claiming he routinely did so and had his father’s knowledge and approval.

The petition said that, to bolster those claims, he placed a telephone call to his father in the claimant’s presence.

He then allegedly assured the claimant that he could secure 30 hectares in Katampe and 30 hectares in Guzape.

It alleged that Jordan demanded and received $2 million as the fee he would deliver to his father to facilitate the allocation, and a further $100,000 as his personal facilitation fee.

The sums were allegedly paid in cash in the presence of two witnesses, Adamu Sani and Aliyu Sarki. Jordan was said to have been accompanied by one Onor Sandy, whom he introduced as a friend and associate.

The petition said he promised to deliver the allocations within a month but failed to do so and became incommunicado.

The UK phone number he supplied is no longer reachable, it added, and efforts to reach him, including through people known to the minister, failed.

The petitioners cited Section 1(1) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act. They asked the EFCC to commence an immediate investigation, arrest and interrogate Jordan, and prosecute him if criminal liability is established.

They said they were ready to provide witnesses and further information, and attached an acknowledgment of payment allegedly signed by him.

Waru said the proof of evidence also included correspondence and WhatsApp exchanges, which he said showed the money was handed over at a house in Gwarinpa, Abuja, in the presence of two witnesses.

Jordan has denied the allegation. He told the court he was not in the country on the date the claimants said they handed over the money, and tendered his international passport in support.

He said he travelled out of Nigeria on his American passport within the period the claimants said they met him in Abuja.

Although the case was adjourned for continuation of hearing, the claimants have petitioned the Chief Judge of the court to remove Justice Oriji from the matter, citing his alleged relationship with the family of the FCT Minister.