“How Thieving Wike Diverted $300 Million Earmarked for Ogoniland” — Sowore

Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has accused Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, of diverting \$300 million intended for the environmental cleanup of Ogoniland into commercial ventures. In a post on his verified X account on Friday, Sowore claimed Wike used the funds to build a chain of supermarkets, branded as “HyperCity Supermarkets,” in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Sowore described the alleged diversion as part of a pattern of mismanagement and said the issue was recently raised with President Bola Tinubu by an Ogoni delegation at Aso Rock Villa. “We will not stop until Wike is brought to justice for the unprecedented looting, killings, and destruction he has wrought on Nigerians across board,” he stated.

The Hydrocarbon Pollution Remediation Project (HYPREP), launched in 2016 following a United Nations Environment Programme report, is responsible for cleaning up Ogoniland, which has suffered decades of oil pollution. Funding for the project has long faced scrutiny over transparency and accountability, particularly from Niger Delta stakeholders.

Sowore’s claims come amid ongoing controversy over Wike’s assets in Florida, United States. In a petition dated September 22, 2025, and filed with Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, Sowore alleged that Wike and his wife secretly purchased multi-million-dollar properties in cash and transferred them to their three children. According to the petition, the properties include a 5,000 sq. ft. residence in Winter Springs, FL, bought for \$535,000 and transferred to Jordan Wike, a 3,401 sq. ft. home purchased for \$459,157 transferred to Joaquin Wike, and a 3,901 sq. ft. home bought for \$465,000 transferred to Jazmyne Wike.

Documents reviewed by SaharaReporters show that Wike and his wife transferred these Florida properties into their children’s names between 2021 and 2023. Beyond the United States, Sowore also alleged that Wike has been involved in “large-scale land grabs” in Abuja, allocating over 3,800 hectares valued at \$6.45 billion to his children through shell companies and proxies.

Wike, a former Governor of Rivers State, was appointed FCT Minister in August 2023. The allegations raise fresh concerns about accountability in the management of public funds and state resources.

Here is Sowore’s original post:

“The revelation is that thieving Nyesom Ezenwo Wike @Govwike diverted \$300 million earmarked for Ogoniland’s remediation and development. Reports indicate that Nyesom Ezenwo Wike @GovWike funneled the funds into constructing a chain of supermarkets in Port Harcourt, known as…”