Alleged $2.1m land scam: Businessman tells EFCC how he met Wike’s son in London
By Mohammed Ismail
A businessman, Safwan Garba, has petitioned the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), accusing Jordan Nyesom-Wike, son of the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, of allegedly collecting $2.1 million under the pretext of facilitating the allocation of 60 hectares of land in Abuja.
Garba, through his lawyer, Hamza Dantani, alleged in a petition dated December 11, 2025, that Jordan promised to secure 30 hectares of land each in Katampe and Guzape districts of the FCT, claiming he had his father’s knowledge and approval to facilitate the transactions.
Also read
EFCC detains Malami over alleged links to terror financing, $344m Abacha refunds
Osun govt writes EFCC, ropes ex-gov in $20m, N1.5bn theft
EFCC detains ex-Akwa Ibom gov Udom Emmanuel over alleged N700bn theft
The businessman accused Jordan of obtaining money under false pretences, fraud, criminal misappropriation and conversion, urging the anti-graft agency to investigate the allegations and prosecute him if found culpable.
According to the petition, the businessman first met Jordan in London, where the two allegedly established a relationship before reconnecting in Nigeria.
The petition stated that Jordan subsequently offered to facilitate the acquisition of the proposed plots, claiming that he routinely assisted with land allocations and had the backing of the FCT minister.
To reinforce the claim, Jordan allegedly placed a telephone call to his father in Garba’s presence, purportedly to inform him about the proposed transaction.
The petition alleged that Jordan demanded $2 million, which he reportedly described as money to be delivered to his father to facilitate the land allocations, while an additional $100,000 was allegedly paid as his personal facilitation fee.
The total sum of $2.1 million was reportedly paid in cash on October 17, 2025, in the presence of two witnesses, Adamu Sani and Aliyu Sarki.
Jordan was allegedly accompanied by one Onor Sandy, whom he introduced as a friend and associate.
The businessman claimed that Jordan promised to deliver the land allocations within one month but allegedly failed to fulfil the agreement after receiving the money.
According to the petition, subsequent attempts to contact him proved unsuccessful, as the United Kingdom telephone number he had provided reportedly became unreachable.
The petition further alleged that efforts to reach Jordan through individuals known to the FCT minister also failed.
Consequently, Garba asked the EFCC to commence an immediate investigation, interrogate Jordan and initiate prosecution if evidence established criminal liability.
The petition also stated that the businessman was prepared to provide witnesses and additional information to assist the investigation. It reportedly included an acknowledgment of payment said to have been signed by Jordan.
Addressing journalists at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday, counsel to the claimants, Ibrahim Waru, said the EFCC had acknowledged receipt of the petition but had yet to take action on it.
Waru explained that the petition was intended to trigger an investigation into the alleged criminal aspects of the dispute, which he said were separate from the civil proceedings pending before the FCT High Court.
Meanwhile, Justice Silvanus Oriji of the FCT High Court has fixed December 1 for the continuation of hearing in the civil suit, marked CV/008/2026, filed by the claimants against Jordan.
Jordan has denied the allegations, telling the court that he was not in Nigeria on October 17, 2025, the date the claimants alleged the money was handed over to him.
He reportedly tendered his international passport in support of his position, maintaining that he travelled outside Nigeria during the period in question using his American passport.
The claimants have also petitioned the Chief Judge of the FCT High Court, seeking the removal of Justice Oriji from the case over an alleged relationship with the minister’s family.
