EXPOSÉ - How FCT Minister Wike Revoked Military-Owned 30 Hectares, Reassigned It To Political Allies Including INEC Chair

 

Fresh revelations have emerged surrounding the confrontation in Gudu district, Abuja, involving Federal Capital Territory Minister, Nyesom Wike, and military officers who blocked him from entering a contested property. The dispute centers on 30 hectares of land initially allocated to serving and retired military personnel but later revoked and reassigned to private individuals closely linked to Wike.

Legal sources engaged in the matter disclosed that the land revocation and subsequent redistribution were carried out without adherence to due process, official recommendations, or prior approvals. A lawyer directly involved in the case told SaharaReporters that the land, once designated for park and recreational purposes, was transformed into a multi-purpose plot by the FCT Minister. New Rights of Occupancy were subsequently issued to Wike’s associates, including an individual identified as the current Independent National Electoral Commission Chairman, Prof Sam Amupitan.

The source revealed that this action disregarded longstanding approvals and recommendations dating back to 2014. “Approval was sought since 2014 but ignored, even where there is a memo recommending approval. Wike ignored these memos, changed the land use from park/recreation to multi-purpose, and issued fresh RofO to powerful private persons,” the lawyer explained.

Documentation from the Parks and Recreation Department dated May 17, 2022, further supports claims that the land in question, Green Area Plot 1946, CZ B13, Gaduwa, was initially intended for park development. Hajiya Riskatu Abdulazeez, Director of the department, wrote to Santos Estate Limited, confirming that the 31-hectare plot had been subdivided in 2007 and allocated to various organizations including Santos Estates Limited, Curio International Ventures, Curio Communications Limited, Mozad Ventures Limited, and Decency Hotels Limited.

The land dispute escalated when Wike reportedly led a contingent of 50 armed police officers accompanied by bulldozers to reclaim the property, confronting military officers who had already partially developed the area. Capt. Adam Yariman was identified as one of the military officers directly involved in resisting the minister’s efforts. The confrontation, captured on video and circulating online, shows a tense exchange between Wike and the army personnel refusing to yield.

Legal experts argue that the minister’s approach violates established administrative and judicial protocols. “The Army has challenged Wike to go to court, but he has refused, apparently because he knows he is wrong,” one lawyer stated. Allegations suggest that Wike advised aggrieved landowners to pursue legal action while simultaneously ignoring ongoing court processes and administrative reviews.

The lawyer noted that several of the new beneficiaries of the reclaimed land are considered powerful private individuals with political connections, raising concerns about fairness, transparency, and the integrity of public land allocation processes. This situation adds to a series of cases involving Wike’s revocation and reallocation of land, generating scrutiny over his handling of government-owned properties.

Military representatives argue that the revocation undermines prior commitments and agreements, especially since some of the officers had already invested in developing the land. The dispute highlights the tension between political influence and institutional authority, with implications for property rights, governance, and public trust in Abuja.

Observers warn that the controversy could have broader repercussions for the administration of federal lands, as questions emerge about the legality of reallocating military-owned plots to politically connected individuals. Calls for transparency and adherence to proper processes are intensifying, with stakeholders urging judicial intervention to resolve the matter.

As the confrontation between FCT Minister Wike and the military intensifies, public attention remains sharply focused on issues of governance, accountability, and the treatment of national resources. The resolution of this dispute may set significant precedents for land allocation practices across the Federal Capital Territory. 

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