Human rights activist and former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC), Omoyele Sowore, has leveled serious accusations against the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, alleging a diversion of $300 million originally earmarked for Ogoniland's environmental remediation. According to Sowore, the funds were instead channeled into constructing a chain of 'HyperCity Supermarkets' in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. This revelation was first shared by Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow Movement, on his verified X (formerly Twitter) account. The activist further stated that this matter was recently brought to the attention of President Bola Tinubu by an Ogoni delegation at the Aso Rock Villa.

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), launched in 2016 following a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) report, is the federal initiative responsible for the cleanup of Ogoniland, an area that has endured decades of severe oil pollution. Funding for this critical project has long been a contentious issue, with stakeholders in the Niger Delta frequently expressing concerns regarding transparency and accountability in its management.

Sowore's allegations extend beyond the Ogoniland funds, also encompassing controversies surrounding Wike’s undeclared assets in the United States. It is alleged that Wike transferred ownership of several properties in Florida to his three children. On September 22, SaharaReporters detailed that Sowore had petitioned the Attorney General of Florida, Hon. Ashley Moody, seeking the forfeiture and prosecution of Wike for illicit property acquisitions in the US. The petition, dated September 22, 2025, and signed by Sowore’s lawyer, Deji Adeyanju, Esq., accused Wike of secretly purchasing multi-million-dollar real estate using suspicious cash transactions to obscure the source of the funds.

According to the petition, Wike, a former Rivers State Governor, along with his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike of Nigeria’s Court of Appeal, acquired three luxury lakeside properties in Winter Springs, Seminole County, Florida, collectively valued at over $6 million. Specific properties listed include a 5,000 sq. ft. residence at 113 Springcreek Lane, Winter Springs, FL 32708, purchased for $535,000 in cash and transferred to Jordan Wike; a 3,401 sq. ft. home at 209 Hertherwood Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708, acquired for $459,157 in cash and transferred to Joaquin Wike; and a 3,901 sq. ft. home at 208 Hertherwood Court, Winter Springs, FL 32708, bought for $465,000 in cash and transferred to Jazmyne Wike.

SaharaReporters further reported that Quit Claim Deeds revealed Wike and his wife transferred these Florida properties into their children’s names between 2021 and 2023. Documents shared by Sowore on his X account showed ownership transfers executed on July 22, 2021, July 27, 2021, and August 13, 2023. For instance, one deed from July 22, 2021, indicated Eberechi Nyesom-Wike transferring ownership of a property to herself and her son, Joaquin Chibuike Nyesom-Wike, as joint tenants.

Beyond the Florida controversies, Sowore also alleged that Nyesom Wike, in his capacity as FCT Minister (an appointment made by President Bola Tinubu in August 2023), has been involved in "large-scale land grabs" in Abuja. These alleged land allocations amount to over 3,800 hectares, valued at $6.45 billion, purportedly transferred to his children through shell companies and proxies.

Sowore has vowed that efforts to hold Wike accountable for the alleged mismanagement of public resources, unprecedented looting, killings, and destruction would continue. Steps are reportedly underway to secure an international arrest warrant against Wike and seek his extradition to the U.S. over money laundering allegations. Additionally, a group of Nigerian journalists, led by Yinka Tella, launched an online petition on Change.org, titled "Investigate real estate fraud by Nigerian minister Nyesom Wike in Florida." This petition urges the United States Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the Florida State government to investigate the alleged fraudulent real estate purchases, stressing that Florida must not serve as a safe haven for looted funds from Nigeria.