The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has called on the Ministry of Defence to provide Nigerians with an update on its investigation into the controversial parcel of land allegedly linked to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo (rtd.).
The land dispute reached a boiling point earlier this month when soldiers obstructed Wike and senior officials of the FCT Administration from gaining access to the property, a development that sparked public concern and heightened tension within the capital.
Wike had insisted that the development on the land was illegal, maintaining that the military neither obtained ap¬proval nor submitted valid doc¬umentation to the FCTA before commencing construction.
According to him, available records at the FCT Administration did not support the ownership claims made by the former naval chief.
The FCT minister further stated that in his assessment of the situation, Vice Admiral Gambo may have been a victim of fraudulent land dealings. “From all indications, it appears the former Chief of Naval Staff was scammed,” Wike reportedly told FCTA officials during the confrontation. He added that the relevant authorities must verify the authenticity of the documents in Gambo’s possession before any construction can proceed.
However, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, faulted Wike’s approach, accusing him of ignoring earlier counsel from both the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff.
According to Matawalle, both service chiefs had urged the FCT minister to await the outcome of a formal inquiry rather than engaging the officer directly at the site.
Speaking to Daily Independent on Thursday, Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Public Communications and Social Media to the FCT Minister, insisted that only the Defence Ministry can provide Nigerians with the latest information on the probe, since it publicly announced the investigation.
“You said the Minister of Defence said they will investigate the circumstances surrounding the land. I think you should direct the question to them,” Olayinka said. “If they said they are investigating, how far have they gone? If not, why is the investigation taking so long?”
He stated that Nigerians deserve to know whether the former naval chief has submitted proof of legitimate ownership.
“Has the former Chief of Naval Staff provided evidence that he genuinely owns the land? Has he provided proof that he actually submitted the right documents to the authorities?” Olayinka queried.
On whether Wike’s directive halting further development on the disputed property is being adhered to, Olayinka explained that he had not visited the site since the confrontation but promised to verify.
“I will find out. It is not a question I can answer as I am talking to you because I have not gone there since that incident. I will find out and get back to you,” he said.
As the controversy lingers, Abuja residents and stakeholders await clarification from the Defence Ministry, whose inquiry is expected to determine the authenticity of the land’s ownership and resolve the standoff between civil authorities and military interests.