Nigerian human rights activist and #RevolutionNow convener, Omoyele Sowore, has petitioned the Office of the Attorney General of Florida, accusing the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, of embezzling public funds and laundering them into multi-billion naira properties in the United States.
Sowore said he had formally written to the Florida Attorney General, James Uthmeier, notifying authorities of what he described as “first-class felonies” involving the trafficking of illicit wealth into the American real estate market.
According to the activist, at least three properties in Winter Springs, Florida, were traced directly to Wike but registered under the name of his wife, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, who currently serves on Nigeria’s Court of Appeal.
He alleged that the assets had been distributed among Wike’s children in a bid to give them the appearance of legitimate family holdings.
“There may be even more properties, but we are making progress,” Sowore said. “We have already contacted the Office of the Attorney General of Florida to notify them that Nyesom Ezenwo Wike – CON, GSSRS – has laundered stolen funds (proceeds of crime) to purchase and traffic properties in their state, which are first-class felonies.”
Sowore noted that investigations into the matter were ongoing and hinted that additional assets could soon be uncovered.
He argued that the case exemplifies how Nigerian political elites siphon funds abroad, stressing that laundering illicit proceeds across borders violates both Nigerian laws and U.S. anti-corruption statutes, which carry severe legal penalties.
This is not the first time Sowore has clashed with Wike.
The activist has frequently accused the former Rivers governor of corruption and abuse of power, while Wike has often dismissed such claims as baseless attacks
Recently, Wike admitted to travelling abroad for what he described as his first holiday since becoming FCT minister, insisting he was not hospitalised as rumoured.
He also criticised Sowore at a public event, accusing him of constantly attacking President Bola Tinubu. Wike said Sowore was “lucky” that Tinubu is a tolerant leader, warning that under another president, his criticisms could have had dire consequences.
Sowore, however, fired back, arguing that Wike should be facing criminal charges at the International Criminal Court (ICC) in The Hague instead of holding public office.
The activist, a former presidential candidate, has faced repeated arrests and restrictions over his campaigns against corruption and bad governance.
Despite this, he has remained vocal, insisting he will continue to expose what he calls the “systemic looting” of Nigeria by its political elite. The latest petition to Florida authorities adds a fresh layer of international scrutiny to Wike, who has so far not publicly responded to the allegations