EXPOSED: Nyesome Wike’s mindless looting of Abuja lands, allocates 2,082 hectares worth $3.6 billion to son Joaquin in Maitama, Asokoro, others

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Joaquin Wike, the minister’s last of two sons, has received at least 2,000 hectares, or 40,000 plots, in Maitama, Asokoro, Guzape and other parts of Abuja, The Gazette found from documents and officials.

Officials estimated that the hectares Mr Wike has issued to his son, along with certificates of occupancy, are worth at least $3.6 billion. A plot in Maitama and Asokoro, where Mr Wike gave his son at least seven hectares total, was recently sold for $1.28 and $1.4 million, respectively.

The company, Joaq Farms and Estates Ltd, was registered on October 10, 2024. Barely a week later, on October 17, 2024, Mr Wike allocated 350 hectares to the business via file number 155882 and certificate of occupancy number 0000162.

The company listed its address as 13, Thaba Tseka Street, Wuse II, with Thaba mispelled on the documents as Theba. The address has long been associated with Mr Wike and his numerous fronts in the Nigerian capital, The Gazette learnt.

Alleged N110b Fraud: Court Adjourns Yahaya Bello’s Trial to July 8



Justice Maryanne Anenih of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja, on Wednesday, adjourned the N110 billion fraud trial of the immediate past Kogi State Governor, Yahaya Bello, and two others until July 8; October 8 and 9; and November 12 and 13.



Bello is facing trial alongside Umar Oricha and Abdulsalami Hudu, on16-count charges bordering on criminal breach of trust and money laundering to the tune of N110.4 billion. The offence, according to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, is contrary to Sections 96 and 311 of the Penal Code Law Cap.89, Laws of Northern Nigeria, 1963, and punishable under Section 312 of the same law.



At the resumed hearing of the matter on Wednesday, EFCC first witness, Fabian Nwora completed his evidence. Nwora is the chairman of EFAB Property which handled the property that is the subject of the suit. He told the court that he opened negotiations on the said property but that the negotiation was concluded by Segun Adeleke, who is the EFCC second witness (PW2)



Nwora had, at a previous hearing, testified that he was invited to the EFCC on Feb. 8, 2023. He explained that it was in regard to a transaction between Shehu Bello and EFAB Property on a property located at No. 1 Ikogosi Street, Maitama. He noted that it was Mr Shehu who approached him about the property.



Adeleke, led by the prosecution counsel, Kemi Pinheiro, SAN, reiterated that, in 2020, his chairman, Nwora, gave him the brief on the property, which Shehu showed interest in. He said the deal was concluded and N500 million paid for the said property.



When asked further what happened afterwards, the witness said Bello returned to their office, with the agreement. “He told me that he was no longer interested in the property as a result of the EFCC investigation.

“My chairman said he would revert after consulting with our company secretary,” he said.



Pinheiro asked about some documents issued to one Nuhu Muhammed in respect of a property in the Gwarinpa area. The witness confirmed that the documents were issued to the said Muhammed after he purchased one of the units of the detached bungalows belonging to EFAB Property Limited.



At that point, Counsel for Mr Shehu and the second defendant Joseph Daudu, SAN, objected. He said “My lord, there is a clear disconnect between the documents sought to be tendered and the foundation laid by the witness himself.” The prosecution, however, said the objection was misconceived and it was subsequently overruled by the Judge.



Justice Anenih adjourned the case until July 8 and Oct 8, 2025, for continuation of hearing.

🎙 Russia's President Vladimir Putin took part in the plenary session of the 28th St Petersburg International Economic Forum.

President of the Republic of Indonesia Prabowo Subianto, National Security Advisor, Commander of the Royal Guard of the Kingdom of Bahrain Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Vice Premier of the State Council of the People’s Republic of China Ding Xuexiang, and Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa Paul Mashatile also attended the session.

Key statements:

Despite a challenging international landscape, Russia’s GDP has been demonstrating an annual growth rate of over four percent over the past two years, which is above the global average.

• Commodities no longer play a defining role in Russia’s economic growth patterns. In 2023, Russia’s non-oil-and-gas GDP increased by 7.2 percent, followed by an additional 4.9 percent in 2024. These are solid figures exceeding the overall GDP growth rates.

• Our strategic vector is precisely to actively and consistently transform the structure of the national economy, step by step. We have achieved a great deal in this area, but it is clear that moving forward is critically important, especially in light of the dramatic changes taking place in the world.

• Annual inflation has already dropped to single-digit levels below ten percent. As of June 16, it stood at 9.6 percent. Of course, that is still high, but inflation targeting continues.

• Over the past four years, employment in Russia has grown by 2.4 million people. Since October last year, the national unemployment rate has stabilised at around 2.3 percent, reaching a historic low.

• In terms of youth unemployment, Russia ranks among the best globally, with a rate of approximately seven and a half percent.
For comparison, youth unemployment stands at around 16 percent in France and 11 percent in the United Kingdom.

• Russia’s economy must become more technologically advanced. We must fully unleash a new phase of the country’s technological development. The key instrument in this regard should be the national projects aimed at securing technological leadership.