Exposed: How Wike Grabbed Abuja Lands, Reallocated Them To Cronies Through His Ally’s Firms

Nyesom Wike, Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), faces backlash for revoking a prime piece of land in Abuja’s Life Camp, formerly owned by retired Colonel Paul Ogbebor’s estate, and reallocating it to Saravera Nigeria Ltd, a company tied to his ally, Kingsley Ogundu Chinda.

The compound, spanning 2.2 hectares, was allocated to Col. Ogbebor in 1984. Following his death in February 2020, the Ogbebor family and other residents, including expatriates, have lived there.

On November 22, Wike issued an eviction order, demanding they vacate before earthmovers moved in.

“This has thrown the entire compound into endless trauma,” a family spokesperson said, urging Wike to reconsider and avoid causing a humanitarian crisis.

Corporate documents revealed that the land was reallocated to Saravera Nigeria Ltd, controlled by Kingsley Chinda, a Rivers State lawmaker and Wike’s longtime ally.

Critics claim this transfer exemplifies Wike’s alleged misuse of his near-absolute powers over Abuja land administration, leading to the accusations of cronyism and corruption.

Wike’s spokesman, Lere Olayinka, defended the decision, stating, “The family has been using the land for 40 years, and they were told to make some payments to regularize their occupancy but failed to do so.”

Chinda’s dual role as a federal lawmaker and Saravera director raises questions of a conflict of interest, potentially violating Nigeria’s code of conduct for public officeholders.

“He has rights to be allocated that land,” Olayinka said, dismissing claims of impropriety. “Kingsley Chinda is a Nigerian citizen entitled to own land in Abuja.”

Wike’s Predecessors Also Faced Scrutiny

Abuja’s land management has long been mired in controversy, with past FCT ministers accused of corruption.

Critics argue that Wike’s actions contribute to the perception of elites cornering public assets while the nation grapples with widespread poverty and economic woes.

Efforts to obtain comments from Chinda were unsuccessful, as he declined to respond to inquiries.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu denied enabling corruption, urging adherence to land regulations.