In a staunch defense of Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike amid a brewing national controversy, former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Joseph Daudu, SAN, has condemned the actions of Navy Lieutenant A.M. Yerima for obstructing the minister during an official inspection. Daudu described the incident as an illegal interference by a junior military officer acting beyond his mandate, urging commendation for Wike rather than vilification.
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The clash, which erupted last week, has ignited widespread debate over civilian-military relations, land enforcement in Abuja, and the limits of executive authority. Videos circulating online captured a heated standoff at a construction site in the Maitama district, where Wike, accompanied by FCT Development Control officials, attempted to halt what he described as unauthorized building on land designated for parks and gardens, not residential use.
According to reports, Wike received intelligence from his subordinates in the FCT Administration’s Development Control Department about ongoing illegal construction on the site, which lacked both a change-of-use approval under the Land Use Act and building permits. Exercising powers vested in him by Section 11 of the Land Use Act and other relevant laws, Wike personally visited the location to enforce compliance.
Upon arrival, he was met by Lt. Yerima and a unit of naval personnel, who blocked access to the premises. The officer, who later claimed he was following “superior orders,” reportedly positioned himself as a security detail for the property, owned by a retired military officer speculated to be a former Chief of Naval Staff. In the ensuing verbal exchange, captured on video, Wike grew exasperated and used strong language, including expletives, which some critics have labeled as excessive and unbecoming of a public official.
The site in question is civilian-owned and not designated as a military zone, placing it squarely under the FCT Minister’s jurisdiction for urban planning and enforcement. To date, the Nigerian military has not publicly claimed ownership or legitimate interest in the property, which Daudu argues undermines Yerima’s intervention.
In a press briefing to mark the Rule of Law Development Foundation (ROLDF) 7th Annual Criminal Law Review Conference (ACLRC), Daudu, a respected legal luminary, dissected the incident, emphasizing the officer’s misuse of authority.
“The junior military officer who boastfully obstructed a federal minister in the course of performing his duties was trained and commissioned into the Nigerian military with taxpayers’ money,” Daudu stated. “His first duty and allegiance is to the government and people of Nigeria. The minister represents the government and people in the discharge of his duties.”
Daudu questioned the legitimacy of Yerima’s actions, noting the officer was not on bona fide military duty but acting as a private security guard for a retired officer’s claimed property. “If these facts are correct, it is then clear that his presence on the land was illegal,” he asserted. “It would have been otherwise—though still not justifiable—if the property was military property and he was acting under bona fide orders from a military agency to secure it.”
The ex-NBA president called for introspection within the military hierarchy, which has rallied behind Yerima, including endorsements from retired generals and Defence Minister Bello Matawalle, who described the lieutenant’s stance as “worthy of commendation.” Daudu highlighted a perceived pattern of military overreach against civilians, citing historical incidents such as the 1978 sacking of Fela Kuti’s Kalakuta Republic, the invasion of General Madu’s village in Benue State, and the recent razing of communities in Delta State following the killing of military personnel.
“This undue advantage and predisposition to civilian molestation is because the generality of the people are not allowed to bear arms,” Daudu remarked, advocating for mutual deterrence in a balanced security framework. He expressed high respect for the military institution but decried its “peculiar anomaly” of taking the law into its own hands when provoked.
The incident has snowballed into a media storm, with calls for Wike’s resignation amplified by various groups. Daudu identified key beneficiaries of the outrage: associations of retired military officers (particularly generals), politicians who view the FCT ministerial post as the exclusive domain of certain ethnic or regional groups, intra-party rivals within Wike’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) opposed to zoning policies, and online detractors envious of his track record.
“This is not the first time that people who mean well for the nation and are working hard to prove their mettle are hated, and it will not be the last,” Daudu concluded, praising Wike’s “proactive and wonderful tour of service in the FCT.”
President Bola Tinubu has since intervened, ordering the removal of bulldozers from the disputed site and brokering peace between the parties, a move some interpret as a snub to Wike. The federal government has also launched a probe into the altercation.
Daudu’s position has drawn sharp rebuttals, with critics accusing him of bias due to his professional ties. Lawyers point out that Daudu has handled several court cases on behalf of the FCT Administration under Wike’s tenure as minister, raising questions about impartiality. “Why wouldn’t he side with him? Look at the cases against Wike and see who is handling them,” one source quipped, suggesting conflicts of interest.
Opponents of Wike, meanwhile, have doubled down on his personal conduct, arguing that his behavior both in the workplace and on public platforms sets a poor example. “His language and temperament are not what one would advise their daughter to emulate,” a PDP chieftain told reporters, echoing sentiments from social media where Wike is often pilloried for his combative style. Videos of the confrontation have fueled memes and hashtags like #WikeVsYerima, with many praising the young lieutenant for his composure.
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