Fresh allegations have emerged implicating Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike in a land-grabbing scandal involving the issuance of land documents to proxy companies. Documents obtained by Reporters reveal that Wike approved and signed a Right of Occupancy (R-of-O) and a Certificate of Occupancy (C-of-O) for Saravera Nigeria Limited within three weeks—a process that typically takes months.
The R-of-O, dated October 15, and the C-of-O, dated November 11, were signed by Wike himself. Investigations suggest the company may be a front for reallocating lands revoked from residents.
The controversy widens with connections to prominent figures:
– Ferdinand Orbih, Wike’s personal lawyer, reportedly owns shares in ALEED Construction Limited, another company tied to the scandal.
– Kingsley Chinda, Minority Leader in the House of Representatives, is listed as a director in Saravera Nigeria Limited.
– Sandy Onor, a former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate in Cross River State, is also implicated.
Sources claim Saravera Nigeria Limited and ALEED Construction Limited are being used to illegally acquire lands revoked by the minister, leaving many residents displaced.
Documents from the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) reveal overlapping ownership among companies involved in the scandal. ALEED Construction Limited, registered in 1997, has ties to key associates of Wike, including Chinda and Orbih.
The C-of-O issued by Wike explicitly grants Saravera Nigeria Limited a 99-year right over a parcel of land starting October 15, 2024. Critics argue this allocation is part of a broader scheme to reassign lands to Wike’s associates through proxies.
Several advocacy groups, including the Southern Leaders Council, have called for a thorough investigation. They are urging the Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB) to arrest Wike and Chinda for alleged land racketeering and violations of the Code of Conduct Act.
“The evidence is clear—Wike and his allies are using their positions to exploit innocent citizens and reallocate lands for personal gain,” a source told *Sahara Reporters*.
The scandal has prompted demands for President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action, including a probe into the FCT Administration’s land allocations under Wike.
This is not the first time Wike has faced allegations of abuse of office. Residents of the Life Camp area in Abuja recently voiced concerns over the revocation of their land rights, citing confusion and hardship caused by abrupt reallocations.
Observers note that similar controversies have surfaced in Rivers State, where Wike served as governor. A contractor implicated in the FCT land scandal, Adapoyi Akor, was reportedly involved in numerous projects during Wike’s administration.
As Nigerians await a response from federal authorities, many see this case as a litmus test for President Tinubu’s commitment to fighting corruption.
“This is a matter of national interest,” said one observer. “If Wike and his cronies are allowed to evade accountability, it sets a dangerous precedent for governance in Nigeria.”
The FCT land-grabbing allegations have sparked widespread calls for transparency, accountability, and justice for displaced residents.
