Former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Olisa Agbakoba, has demanded a thorough investigation into the confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lieutenant A. M. Yerima, over a disputed plot of land in Abuja.

Agbakoba, in a post on 𝕏 on Friday, said the incident raises troubling questions about civilian authority, military conduct, and the legitimacy of the land ownership at the centre of the dispute.

According to Agbakoba, beyond the heated exchange captured in viral videos, the real issue lies in whether the military has any lawful claim to the land in question.

The senior advocate said the clash underscores the need to clearly reinforce the constitutional boundaries between civilian authority and the armed forces.

Agbakoba queried whether military orders can supersede established land regulations or whether Lt. Yerima relied on the influence of the military rather than due process.

While emphasising the importance of maintaining lawful authority, Agbakoba also said Wike could have managed the situation differently.

He noted that although the Minister was acting within his statutory powers under the Land Use Act, the manner of engagement escalated tensions.

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.”

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