SAN faults Naval Officer for confronting Wike, says action breached the law

A Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Sebastine Hon, has faulted the actions of the naval officer who confronted the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, during an inspection of a disputed property in Abuja, describing the officer’s conduct as a clear breach of the law.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, when Minister Wike, alongside officials of the FCT Administration, visited Plot 1946 in Gaduwa District, to enforce a stop work order on an ongoing construction site said to lack legal approval.
Reports indicated that a naval officer, identified as Lt. A.M. Yerima, allegedly blocked the minister’s convoy and prevented the demolition team from accessing the property. The land is reportedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (rtd.).

Speaking on the matter, Hon (SAN) said the naval officer’s action was unconstitutional and amounted to disobedience to civil authority. He explained that while military personnel must obey orders, they are not required to carry out illegal or unjust commands.

“No service law permits a serving officer to guard or obstruct a private construction site, especially under suspicious circumstances,” Hon stated. “As FCT Minister, Wike exercises the powers of the President over land matters in Abuja, and any act to stop him from performing his duty is a direct affront to civil authority.”

The legal expert cited several Supreme Court rulings, including Onunze v. State (2023) and Nigeria Air Force v. James (2002), to back his claim that military personnel can be held criminally liable for violating civil laws under Section 114 of the Armed Forces Act.

The clash has generated widespread debate, with some groups defending Wike’s actions, while others accused him of disrespecting the armed forces.
A coalition of retired military veterans reportedly demanded an apology from the minister, accusing him of verbally abusing the naval officer. However, the Ministry of Defence has maintained that the officer acted within his line of duty, pending investigation into the ownership and legality of the property.

Meanwhile, the FCT Administration has vowed to continue enforcement of development regulations across the capital city, insisting that no individual or institution is above the law.

The confrontation between Wike and the naval officer highlights the ongoing tension between civil authority and military influence in Nigeria’s governance structure ,especially concerning land administration and enforcement within the Federal Capital Territory.