Table of Contents
- Call for Arrest of Soldiers
- Overview of the Incident
- Military Response
- Minister's Statement
- Reaction from Legal Practitioner
- Call for Accountability
A legal practitioner based in Port Harcourt, Mr. Princewill Dike, has urged for the arrest and prosecution of soldiers who prevented the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, from accessing a property in Abuja on Tuesday.
Dike's remarks came after a confrontation between the minister and military personnel at a property under development in the FCT.
The military personnel claimed they were assigned to the site by a former Chief of Naval Staff, the property's owner, due to ongoing harassment and intimidation of workers at the site by officials from the FCTA.
In a widely circulated video on social media, a naval officer identified as Lieutenant A.M. Yerima was seen informing the FCT Minister that he was following orders from his superior, (retd.) Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo.
Nevertheless, Minister Wike asserted that the property in question did not possess the necessary building approval.
Despite this assertion, the soldiers denied the minister and his officials access to the property.
In response to the incident, Dike criticized the actions of the military personnel.
Dike questioned why the former naval chief would disregard the minister's directive to cease all development on properties in the FCT that lacked a Title of Instrument and building approval.
He characterized the confrontation as a disrespectful challenge to the authority of the minister, who represents the federal government in the nation’s capital.
He stated: “Impunity cannot continue in this country. What transpired between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, and certain soldiers in the FCT should be condemned by all Nigerians.
“Instead of complying, soldiers were dispatched to confront the minister by the unlawful owner of the property, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo.
“The soldiers threatened to shoot the minister and officials from the FCTA Department of Development Control. Yet, Minister Wike remained resolute and unthreatened.”
Dike further stressed that the harassment extended beyond the minister, representing a direct challenge to President Bola Tinubu, who had delegated authority to Wike for matters concerning the FCT.
“Unbeknownst to them, it is not just the minister they harassed, but the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, who authorized him to act on his behalf in all matters relating to the FCT.
“The Wike we know will not permit this property to be unlawfully developed, and the soldiers who acted with impunity must be held accountable.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What led to the altercation between the minister and the soldiers?
The altercation occurred when soldiers obstructed Minister Nyesom Wike from accessing a property undergoing development, claiming they were following orders from a former Chief of Naval Staff due to harassment of workers by FCTA officials.
What was the minister's stance on the property in question?
Minister Wike stated that the property lacked the necessary building approval, and thus, he challenged the legality of the soldiers' presence at the site.
What did Princewill Dike say regarding the incident?
Princewill Dike condemned the actions of the military personnel, emphasizing that such impunity should not be tolerated and that accountability is necessary for those involved.
