By Daniel Kudayah
Two firms have petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over the alleged involvement of Jordan Nyesom-Wike, son of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, in a disputed $2.1 million land transaction.
The petitioners, Safwan Garba GY and GY Global Oil & Gas Nigeria Limited, accused Jordan of alleged fraud, obtaining money under false pretences, criminal misappropriation and conversion.
Speaking with journalists at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, counsel to the claimants, Mr Ibrahim Waru, said the EFCC had acknowledged receipt of the petition but had yet to take action.
Waru explained that while the civil aspect of the dispute was pending before the FCT High Court, the petition was intended to prompt an investigation into the alleged criminal elements of the transaction.
He said the petition was supported by documents, including correspondence and WhatsApp exchanges, which the claimants said showed that money was handed to Wike’s son to facilitate the allocation of land in the FCT.
According to the petition, the transaction involved $2 million allegedly intended to facilitate the allocation of land through the FCT minister and an additional $100,000 said to have been paid as a personal facilitation fee.
The claimants alleged that Jordan promised to secure 30 hectares of land in Katampe and another 30 hectares in Guzape, but failed to deliver the allocations within the agreed one-month period.
The petition further alleged that the money was paid in cash in the presence of two witnesses, Adamu Sani and Aliyu Sarki, while another individual, identified as Onor Sandy, accompanied Jordan.
The claimants also alleged that Jordan subsequently became unreachable despite attempts to contact him through his UK telephone number and individuals known to the minister.
Part of the petition read: “Our client hereby requests that the Commission: commence an immediate investigation into the actions of Jordan Nyesom-Wike; arrest and interrogate Jordan Nyesom-Wike; and initiate prosecution where the investigation establishes criminal liability.”
The petitioners said they were willing to provide witnesses and additional information to assist the commission’s investigation. They also referred to an acknowledgment of payment allegedly signed by Jordan.
Meanwhile, Justice Silvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court has adjourned the civil suit, marked CV/008/2026, until December 1 for continuation of hearing.
Jordan has denied the allegations, maintaining that he was not in Nigeria on the date the claimants alleged the money was handed to him.
He reportedly tendered his international passport before the court in support of his position, stating that he had travelled outside the country using his American passport during the period in question.
The claimants have also petitioned the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, seeking Justice Oriji’s removal from the case over an alleged relationship with the FCT minister’s family.
The allegations remain disputed, with the civil proceedings yet to be concluded and the claimants seeking an EFCC investigation into the matter.
