Land Dispute Between FCT Minister and Naval Officer Escalates
The ongoing confrontation between Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike and Naval Officer A.M. Yerima has taken a new turn as the minister's media aide revealed crucial details about the disputed land in Abuja.
Lere Olayinka, Wike's media assistant, stated through his X handle @OlayinkaLere on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, that the land in question was originally allocated to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 for park and recreation purposes.
Company's Attempt to Change Land Use
According to Olayinka's detailed explanation, the estate company sought approval in 2022 to convert the land use from park and recreation to residential. However, the then FCT minister rejected this request, maintaining the original designation.
Despite the rejection, Santos Estate Limited proceeded to partition the land and sell it to unsuspecting buyers, including former Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Gambo, who is currently building duplexes on his portion of the property.
Olayinka emphasized that the former naval chief should focus on holding the estate company accountable rather than using military force to retain the disputed property. "Shouldn't the former Chief of Naval Staff be more concerned with the person who scammed him rather than using military might to hold on to a property on which he was duped?" he questioned.
Legal Expert Weighs In on the Conflict
The confrontation gained national attention when Minister Wike and FCTA officials were prevented from accessing the land by military personnel. Constitutional law expert Professor Sebastine Hon, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), has provided legal analysis explaining why the naval officer breached the law during the incident.
The Nigerian Defence Headquarters added to the drama by posting a cryptic message on its X handle on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, stating that serving in the Nigerian military is "a thing of honour and privilege", though without directly referencing the land dispute.
This incident highlights the ongoing challenges in land administration and enforcement in the Federal Capital Territory, particularly when involving high-ranking military officials and government authorities.
