Lere Olayinka, media aide to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has revealed details of the land dispute involving a former Chief of Naval Staff, Retired Vice Admiral Gambo, in Gaduwa, Abuja.
Speaking on Channels Television on Wednesday, November 12, Olayinka said the former naval chief was misled by the company that sold him the land.
“The land was allocated in 2007 to Santos Estate Limited for park and recreational use.
“The company did not develop the land because it is a parkway and road corridor, unsuitable for construction,” Olayinka said.
He added that in 2022, the company applied to the FCT Administration to convert the land for commercial purposes.
While the request was still under review, the company went ahead and sold parts of the property, including to Vice Admiral Gambo.
“Anticipating approval for the conversion, the company partitioned and sold the land.
“That is why I say the former Chief of Naval Staff was scammed.
“Instead of seeking recourse from the company, he resorted to using military influence,” Olayinka said.
Olayinka noted that the FCT Minister had rejected the conversion request, and the land has since been re-designated for public and corporate use, not residential purposes.
He also emphasized that Vice Admiral Gambo does not currently possess a valid title document for the property.
“Even if he had a title, any development requires an approved building plan from the FCT Development Control.
“Nigerians should ask whether the former Chief of Naval Staff submitted a building plan and obtained approval before starting any construction,” Olayinka added.
The remarks follow an incident on Tuesday, November 11, when Minister Wike visited the property after reports that the former CNS had attempted to assert control over the land.
