Wike Revokes 30 Hectares Of Military Land, Allegedly Gives To Allies Including INEC Chair Amupitan
Fresh details have emerged about the land dispute that led to Tuesday’s confrontation between the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and soldiers who blocked him and his officials from accessing a property in Gudu district, Abuja.
According to a legal practitioner involved in the case who spoke to SaharaReporters, the 30-hectare land was originally allocated to serving and retired military personnel but was later revoked by Minister Wike.
The lawyer claimed the land was subsequently reallocated to Wike’s political associates, including a top ally alleged to be the current INEC Chairman, Prof Sam Amupitan.
The source, who is directly involved in the matter, said the revocation and reallocation were done “in total disregard of due process, official recommendations, and existing approvals.”
“I am personally involved as a lawyer in this matter and several other cases of revocation and reallocation of land to private persons by Wike,” the source said.
“Wike revoked the land, which totals 30 hectares, and allocated it to some persons, one of whom we were told in confidence is the current INEC Chairman.
“Unfortunately for Wike, a former naval chief, Awwal Gambo, and some serving army personnel have vested interests in the land and have partly developed it.”
The lawyer added that the land, initially designated as a park and recreation area, was allegedly “changed to multi-purpose” by Wike, who issued fresh Rights of Occupancy to new beneficiaries.
A letter dated May 17, 2022, from Hajiya Riskatu Abdulazeez, Director of the Parks & Recreation Department, addressed to the MD/CEO of Santos Estate Limited, referenced previous applications dating back to February 21, 2022.
“Approval was sought since 2014 but ignored, even where there were memos recommending it,” the lawyer said.
“Wike ignored the memos, changed the land use from park/recreation to multi-purpose, and issued fresh RofO to some powerful private persons.”
The dispute escalated when Wike reportedly went to the estate with about 50 armed police officers and two bulldozers, intending to reclaim and demolish structures already built by the military allottees.
“Capt. Adam Yariman is the officer Wike is seen confronting in that video,” the lawyer said. “I was with him when we received information that Wike had gone to the site with 50 police personnel and two bulldozers to demolish and dispossess the owners.”
The lawyer added that the Nigerian Army had challenged Wike to resolve the matter in court, but the minister allegedly refused.
“The Army has challenged Wike to go to court, but he has refused, apparently because he knows he’s wrong,” he said, accusing Wike of routinely telling aggrieved landowners to “go to court” while ignoring existing judicial and administrative processes.
The confrontation in a viral video seen by OSUN DEFENDER shows Wike in a heated argument with an army officer who refused to yield access to the property.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
