Senior lawyer and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Olisa Agbakoba, has called for a thorough investigation into the recent clash between FCT Minister Nyesom Wike and a military officer, Lt. Yerima.
In a post on X on Friday, Agbakoba said the incident raises serious questions about civilian authority over the military and the legality of the land ownership at the centre of the dispute.
He noted that while the minister could have handled the situation differently, the key issue is whether the military officer has a valid land title.
Agbakoba questioned the legitimacy of the military’s claim to the property and whether military directives can override civilian laws.
He also raised concerns about whether the officer might be relying on military power rather than due process to assert control over the land.
The senior lawyer said the issues surrounding the clash, including compliance with land regulations and the boundaries of military authority, require a comprehensive investigation.
He said: “The Wike Military issue is a complex one that raises crucial questions about civilian control over the military. While there’s no doubt that Minister @GovWike could have approached Lt. Yerima differently, the core issue at hand is compliance with land title regulations.
“So I ask: aside from Wike’s alleged indiscretion, what about the military’s claim to the land in question? Does Lt. Yerima actually have legal title to it, or has he simply wielded military power to assert his control? While it’s true that Lt. Yerima can invoke obedience to superior orders to deny access to Wike, it begs the larger question: do military rules operate separately from our civilian laws?
“I genuinely want to know if the General holds a legitimate title to this land or if he is merely relying on military power. Can a civilian, in this case, the minister, resist or evade compliance with those military directives? This entire situation certainly warrants a thorough investigation.”
