Sowore petitions Florida Attorney-General over three houses allegedly linked to Wike in US

By Omodele Adigun

Human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, has formally petitioned the Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier, alleging that Nigeria’s Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, secretly acquired properties in the United States with laundered public funds.

In his petition, Sowore alleged that three houses located in Winter Springs, Florida, were directly linked to Wike but registered under the name of his wife.

He claimed the assets were further distributed among the couple’s children to disguise their alleged illicit origins.

According to Sowore, the transactions constitute “first-class felonies” under U.S. law. He added that the revelations were part of ongoing investigations that may yet uncover additional foreign assets connected to Wike.

The activist accused the minister of engaging in a pattern long used by Nigerian officials to siphon funds abroad, stressing that the alleged cross-border laundering violates both Nigerian anti-graft statutes and American laws with heavy legal consequences.

“There may be even more properties, but we are making progress. We have already contacted the Office of the Attorney General of Florida, James Uthmeier to notify them that Nyesom Ezenwo Wike – CON, GSSRS has (allegedly) laundered stolen funds (proceeds of crime) to purchase and traffic properties in their state, which are first-class felonies,” Sowore said.

The former presidential candidate, long known for his unrelenting campaign against corruption and abuse of office, vowed to push the matter until accountability is achieved.

Wike, who recently returned from a foreign trip, has denied speculation that he was hospitalised during his time abroad, describing such claims as “lies” spread on social media. At a public event, he maintained that his trip was a private holiday — his first since assuming office — and argued that leaders also deserve time to rest.

The minister also criticised Sowore, remarking that the activist was “lucky” President Bola Tinubu is tolerant of dissent. He suggested that under a different administration, Sowore’s constant criticism of the government could have carried serious consequences.