Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has lambasted the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, over a property purchase in Florida, adding that going by new US law, the minister faces 30 years in jail.
Sowore referenced a recent U.S. court ruling that dismissed former President Donald Trump’s $15 billion defamation lawsuit against the New York Times, saying the decision highlighted how justice operates in America.
This is in contrast to Nigeria, where political elites often manipulate the judiciary.
Sowore alleged that Wike, described as an “international thief,” bought the Florida property in cash but falsely claimed it was purchased by his in-laws for his wife and children.
According to Sowore, this constitutes illegal concealment of ownership, given that his wife is a public official and a Court of Appeal judge in Nigeria.
Under Florida law, anyone who has stolen or laundered money is prohibited from using it to purchase property.
Sowore said Wike’s actions fall under Florida Statute, which criminalises organising or directing trafficking in stolen property, a first-degree felony punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
He further urged Florida’s Attorney General to investigate what he described as “money laundering and property trafficking crimes” committed by Wike in the United States, emphasising that Wike’s alleged illegal acquisition of property abroad mirrors his controversial land dealings in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory.
The human rights activist said, “Florida State law prohibits anyone who has stolen or laundered money from using it to purchase property, and international thief @GovWike bought the mansion in cash but claimed his “in-laws’ purchased it for his wife and children. He’s about to find out in a very hard way!
“Florida’s Attorney General @AGJamesUthmeier must be made aware that money laundering and property trafficking crimes have occurred in his state, that several statutes in the State of Florida directly prohibit this criminal conduct, and Nigeria’s FCT Minister @GOVWike is about to find out.
“Several statutes in the State of Florida directly prohibit what Florida State law prohibits anyone who has stolen or laundered money from using it to purchase property, and international thief @GovWike bought the mansion in cash while claiming his “in-laws” purchased it for his wife and children. has done, which is illegally concealing ownership of his Florida properties by placing them under the names of his children and wife, who is herself a public official (a Court of Appeal judge) in Nigeria.
“WIKE’s crimes, among others, fall squarely under organizing or directing trafficking in stolen property, a first-degree felony under Florida Statute §812.019, punishable by up to 30 years in prison.
“Nyesom Ezenwo WIKE, Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Minister, illegally grabbed land in Abuja for his family, but he could never escape his $2 million illegally acquired mansion, which is a property trafficking crime in Florida, USA,” the former presidential candidate added.
