Ex-Naval Chief Caught in Abuja Land Scam – Wike’s Aide

The Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Mr. Lere Olayinka, has described the recent confrontation between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a retired naval officer as the fallout of a land scam involving a former Chief of Naval Staff

Speaking on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Wednesday, Olayinka said the disputed plot in Mabushi, Abuja, was originally designated for public use and never approved for residential or commercial development.

He explained that the land, allocated in 2007 to Santos Estate Limited for park and recreation purposes, remained undeveloped because it lies within a parkway and road corridor where private construction is prohibited.

“In 2022, the company applied to change the land use from park to commercial, but the FCT Administration rejected the request — long before Minister Wike assumed office,” Olayinka stated.

Despite the rejection, the firm allegedly subdivided the land and sold portions to unsuspecting buyers, including retired Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo. “It appears the company acted in anticipation of eventual approval, selling the land before any legal change of use,” he added.

Olayinka accused the retired officer of attempting to leverage his military connections to assert ownership instead of pursuing legal action against the sellers. “Rather than confronting those who defrauded him, he sought to claim what legally belongs to the government,” he said.

The FCT aide further emphasised that Mabushi’s parkway corridor is reserved for government and corporate offices, and that Gambo had no valid title deed or approved building plan for the site. “Even with a document, development cannot proceed without approval from Development Control,” he noted.

Olayinka challenged the retired naval officer to provide evidence of lawful ownership, reiterating that the FCT Administration would continue to safeguard Abuja’s master plan against illegal encroachment.