The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has submitted a formal petition to the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), demanding an immediate investigation into FCT Minister Nyesom Wike over allegations of unlawful land allocations in Abuja.
According to the petition signed by HEDA chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the minister is accused of allocating multiple plots of prime land in the capital to his sons, Joaquin and Jordan Wike, through a company named JOAQ Farms and Estates Ltd. The group described this action as a blatant abuse of office and a breach of the Code of Conduct for Public Officers.
“HEDA has called on the ICPC to review all land allocations signed by Minister Wike since assumption of office in 2023; recover the plots corruptly allocated to Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd; investigate the involvement of Hon. Kingsley Chinda, a known associate and alleged front of Wike; request President Bola Tinubu to interdict Minister Wike to allow for impartial investigation; and prosecute all individuals found culpable in accordance with the law,” the petition stated.
HEDA condemned the alleged land deals as emblematic of a growing trend of elite exploitation and resource capture in the nation’s capital.
HEDA described the alleged land allocations as a “primitive diversion and accumulation of public assets,” and said it reflects a broader pattern of politically motivated land grabs in the nation’s capital.
The civic group cited a 2022 court victory under the Freedom of Information Act (Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/1517/2020), which compelled the FCT administration to disclose land allocation data.
However, it accused Wike of ignoring the court’s judgment and continuing to obscure public access to land records.
HEDA accused Wike of defying the court’s judgment and continuing a pattern of secrecy around public land records.
Reiterating its stance on government accountability and transparency, HEDA pledged full cooperation with investigators and emphasized the urgency of protecting national resources from political misuse.
“Our petition is part of our sustained campaign to ensure public office holders are held accountable and public assets protected,” the statement said.
