₦airaland Forum

EXCLUSIVE: How FCT Minister Wike Revoked 30 Hectares Of Land Owned By Top Military Officers, Reallocated Same To Associates Including INEC Chair Amupitan

Fresh details have emerged on the land dispute that triggered Tuesday’s confrontation between the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and soldiers who stopped him and his officials from entering a property in Gudu district, Abuja.

Speaking exclusively to SaharaReporters, a legal practitioner involved in the case explained that the disputed 30-hectare land was initially allocated to serving and retired military personnel but was later revoked by the FCT Minister Nyesom Wike.

The lawyer revealed that the same was reallocated to Wike's political associates, including a top ally alleged to be the current Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Sam Amupitan.

The source who has been directly engaged in the matter, said the revocation and redistribution were carried out “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 same.”

The source claimed that the land was originally designated as park and recreation area, but Wike allegedly “changed the land use to multi-purpose” and issued fresh Rights of Occupancy (RofO) to new beneficiaries.

In a letter dated 17th May, 2022, and addressed to the MD/CEO, Santos Estate Limited, the author, Hajiya Riskatu Abdulazeez, the Director, Parks & Recreation Department, said, "This is with reference to your letter dated 21 February, 2022 on the above subject-matter.

"In view of the above, please NOTE as follows: a. The development, management and operation of ideal Recreational Parks, especially on large Green Areas, require huge financial investment and therefore, the Policy trust of FCTA on Park development is centred mostly on collaboration with private organisations. Occasionally large Green Areas are sub-divided into lots (A,B,C, etc) to accommodate various applications for Parks development.

"b. Green Area Plot 1946, CZ B13, Gaduwa is very large with a size of about 31 Hectares. It is part of the Parkway System within Gaduwa District. Available records indicate that in 2007, this Green Area was sub-divided into lots and committed to various organisations, including: 1. Santos Estates Limited 2. Curio International Ventures 3. Curio Communications Limited.

"Where any other information is made available to the Department, you can be updated. The above information is based on record and information presently available on the Plot. Thank you."

But the lawyer continued, “Approval was sought since 2014 but was ignored, even where there is a memo recommending approval. 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 reportedly came to a head when Wike, accompanied by about 50 armed police officers and two bulldozers, stormed the estate site in an attempt to reclaim and demolish the structures already built by the military allottees.

“Capt. Adam Yariman is the officer Wike is insulting in that video,” the lawyer told SaharaReporters.

“I was with him when we received information that Wike had gone to the site with 50 personnel of the Nigerian Police Force and two bulldozers to demolish and dispossess the owners."

He added that the Nigerian Army had challenged Wike to go to court, but the minister had allegedly refused.

“The Army has challenged Wike to go to court but he has refused to do so, apparently because he knows he’s wrong,” he said.

The lawyer accused Wike of telling aggrieved landowners to “go to court” whenever confronted, despite ignoring existing court processes and administrative reviews.

The confrontation between the minister and the military officers was captured in a viral video obtained by SaharaReporters, showing Wike in a heated argument with an army officer who refused to yield ground.

press9jatv:
Omo werey lafi wo werey. The officer no carry last.

press9jatv:
Omo werey lafi wo werey. The officer no carry last.

AMINDA:
Tinubu had better rein in Wike before he does further damage to him. You can't have a chronic land grabber revoking titles of Military men who have served this country. Despite being retired, these men still have influence and the military is like a cult. No wonder the growing discontent we have seen in the past few days culminating into rumours of a coup.

Ikaeniyan0:
If the retired CNS can't produce the land document, the government will take over the land and heaven won't fall

AMINDA:
What happened to all the persons with valid documents whom Wike had previously revoked their lands? Today's incident was Wike using his office to carry out a personal vendetta he has with the CNS. It's an abuse of office.

HgAkpobomeEr:
Content of the report notwithstanding, Wike should be commended for taking action on the land.

Ikaeniyan0:
Who are the people with documents that Wike revoke their land in Abuja? Tell us

AMINDA:
In the words of the young Lieutenant today, "Permit me to enlighten you, Sir", that's practically what this thread is about.

Ikaeniyan0:
LP and ADC supporters are only supporting the illegality because they hate Wike

ALTERNATEID:
Who gave them the land in the first place? Those military officers simply grabbed land and used force to maintain ownership. Wike is here for all of them land grabbers.

stuffs2002:
Only a matter of time. Illegality cannot stand the test of time. The military will lose the land

Dalohad:
Was Wike practicing legality when he was revoking people's land, even with C of O and allocating same to his sons and cronies?

.

press9jatv:
Wike too is a land grabber too. At the end, the ex naval chief will win in the court of justice. Military men always do their things legitimately. All their lands and properties are properly documented. Don't forget that Wike have huge issues with the military in Abuja.

Ikaeniyan0:
You've no point

You opposition fit dey use this shameful incident hold body

ottersberger:
Opposition?.
Opposition to impunity, corruption, insecurity and bad governance?, hell yea.

press9jatv:
😂 the military 🪖 can never lose the land. It's the court of justice that will finally settle the matter.

Ikaeniyan0:
LP and ADC supporters are only supporting the illegality because they hate Wike

LeeSmart:
But a know APC supporter here (on Nairaland) @Legendhero is supporting wike also, so what are you trying to say?