Two Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Femi Falana and Sebastine Hon, have shared their views on the public confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer in Abuja.
The clash happened at a plot in the Gaduwa District, where armed naval personnel led by a junior officer, A.M. Yerima, were stationed. The officers were reportedly acting on the instructions of a former Chief of Naval Staff, Zubairu Gambo, a retired vice admiral.
Videos circulating online showed Wike trying to access the land but being stopped by the naval officers, leading to a heated argument. In one of the clips, a visibly angry Wike accused the retired naval chief of “illegally seizing” the property and demanded to see the land documents. Yerima insisted the land had valid approvals and denied intimidating anyone. At one point, Wike had to pull his security aides away from the soldiers as tensions grew.
Falana: Wike Should Apologise, But Officers Also Wrong
Speaking at an event in Abuja, Femi Falana criticised both sides.
He faulted Wike’s public outburst, saying no public official has the right to insult citizens and urged President Bola Tinubu to ask Wike to apologise.
“The president must direct the minister to apologise. That is what is done in civilised societies,” Falana said, citing similar incidents abroad.
However, he also criticised the naval officers, saying they acted outside their authority. He pointed to Section 11 of the Land Use Act, which empowers the FCT minister and state governors to enter and inspect land under their jurisdiction.
According to Falana, Wike was carrying out his lawful duty and should not have been obstructed. Still, he said the minister should have sought a legal remedy rather than engaging in a confrontation.
Falana further dismissed claims that insulting a uniformed officer amounted to a national security threat.
Hon: Deploying Soldiers to Guard a Private Site Is Illegal
In his own statement, Sebastine Hon condemned the deployment of naval officers to guard a private construction site, saying no military regulation allows such action — even for a retired senior officer.
He cited Supreme Court judgements (Onunze vs State, 2023; Nigeria Air Force vs James, 2002) which state that soldiers must not obey illegal orders.
Hon explained that by virtue of Sections 297(2) and 302 of the Constitution, the FCT minister exercises presidential powers over land in Abuja and therefore cannot be denied access.
He argued that the officer could potentially be liable under Section 114 of the Armed Forces Act for obstructing a public officer.
Hon warned against supporting the naval officer simply because of personal dislike for Wike, noting that tolerating such conduct from uniformed personnel could endanger civilians in future.
Defence Ministry: Both Sides Were Wrong
The Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, also weighed in, calling the confrontation “unnecessary and avoidable.”
In an interview, he said Wike should have allowed military authorities to handle the issue since he had already contacted the heads of the armed forces. Matawalle insisted that Yerima acted professionally and respectfully, adding that uniformed personnel must be treated with dignity.
He cautioned public officials against disrespecting security officers, saying it undermines the authority of the Commander-in-Chief.
Matawalle confirmed that though no formal complaint had been filed, the Chief of Naval Staff has visited the site and begun an investigation into the land dispute.
