Tinubu must probe, suspend Wike now over US property scandal–Timi Frank
Joseph Irikefe
Former Deputy National Publicity Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Comrade Timi Frank, has called on President Bola Tinubu to suspend the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, over allegations of acquiring properties in the United States under suspicious circumstances.
Frank, who currently serves as Ambassador of the United Liberation Movement for West Papua (ULMWP) to East Africa and the Middle East, made the appeal in a statement on Thursday in Abuja.
He said Tinubu must break his silence on the matter and demonstrate consistency in the fight against corruption, recalling how the President swiftly suspended former Humanitarian Affairs Minister, Betta Edu, over corruption allegations that were “far less serious” than those confronting Wike.
Media reports had alleged that Wike purchased property in Florida and registered them under the names of his wife, Justice Eberechi Wike, and their children, Joaquin, Jazmyne, and Jordan.
Frank described Tinubu’s silence on the matter despite “overwhelming evidence” in the public domain as troubling, adding that it sends a dangerous message that some officials are untouchable.
“With detailed reports from credible sources such as People’s Gazette and with glaring evidence ignored by anti-corruption agencies like EFCC and ICPC, it sends a dangerous message that some officials are untouchable,” Frank said.
He further warned that the impunity of government officials like Wike weakens citizens’ trust in governance and could fuel uprisings similar to the recent Nepal revolt.
Frank commended Omoyele Sowore of SaharaReporters and the publishers of People’s Gazette for “courageously exposing corruption in the country, irrespective of the government officials involved.”
He accused Tinubu of shielding Wike for political reasons ahead of the 2027 elections, warning that such selective justice would damage Nigeria’s global reputation and erode investor confidence.
Frank said, “The reasons behind this continued inaction in the case of Wike appears to be tied to the political calculations surrounding the 2027 presidential elections.
“However, allowing political ambition to shield corruption will irreparably harm Nigeria’s reputation internationally.
“The world is watching, and this selective justice undermines investor confidence and portrays Nigeria as a nation unable or unwilling to fight corruption—even within its highest offices.”
Frank also criticised the President’s handling of the Rivers State political crisis, arguing that suspending Governor Siminalayi Fubara and House of Assembly members while leaving Wike untouched highlighted inconsistency and favoritism.
He urged Tinubu to immediately suspend Wike and commission an independent investigation into the allegations.
He said, “Furthermore, even when crises erupted in Rivers State, President Tinubu suspended only Governor Siminalayi Fubara and the House of Assembly members while leaving the Minister of FCT, Wike, untouched.
“This inconsistency fuels suspicions of favoritism and political shielding. Nigerians and the international community deserve to know why the President appears reluctant to confront alleged corruption linked to a close political ally.
“Selective enforcement of the law erodes national pride and makes Nigeria a laughing stock among peer nations, many of whom prosecute corruption allegations without hesitation.”
“The President should protect the dignity of Nigeria and the trust of its citizens by rejecting selective justice and political expediency. The integrity of Nigeria’s governance and its image on the global stage depend on it,” he added.
On Monday, reported that Sowore had petitioned the Attorney General of Florida, Hon. James Uthmeier, seeking the forfeiture and prosecution of Wike over illicit property acquisitions in the United States.
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, 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.”