By Peter Onyekachukwu 
By Peter Onyekachukwu
A fresh controversy has erupted over the heated confrontation between the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, and a naval officer, Lieutenant A.M. Yerima, as top lawyers, the military, and political commentators remain divided on who acted lawfully.
While the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Kunle Edun, have openly backed the naval officer, another SAN and constitutional lawyer, Prof. Sebastine Hon, has faulted the officer’s conduct, calling it a “breach of the law.”
Badaru, reacting to the viral video showing Wike berating the officer during a land dispute in Abuja, praised Yerima for maintaining discipline under pressure. “We will always protect our officer; he has done well,” the minister said, stressing that the military would defend any personnel carrying out lawful duties.
The altercation reportedly occurred when Wike led Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) officials to reclaim a disputed parcel of land in the Gaduwa area, allegedly linked to a former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (rtd).
In the viral footage, Wike was heard calling the officer “a big fool,” after Yerima insisted he was acting under orders not to allow access. The officer, however, stood his ground, saying, “Sir, I will not shut up. I am acting on an order.”
Reacting, SAN Kunle Edun described Wike’s outburst as “an assault on the dignity of the legal profession,” and urged the Nigerian Bar Association to take disciplinary action against him.
“A Life Bencher calling a uniformed officer a fool is disgraceful. Lawyers in public office must show restraint,” Edun stated.
However, in a sharp contrast, constitutional lawyer Prof. Sebastine Hon said Yerima, not Wike, acted unlawfully by obstructing a public officer performing an official duty.
He argued that “no military law permits a serving officer to mount guard at a private site on behalf of a retired superior,” adding that the order was illegal.
According to Hon, Wike, as FCT Minister, exercises presidential powers over land in Abuja under Sections 297 and 302 of the 1999 Constitution.
“By law, Wike stood in the place of the President that day. The officer’s action was an affront to civil authority,” he said.
Hon warned that failure to discipline the officer could embolden security personnel to challenge civil institutions, saying, “Celebrating such conduct may unleash a reign of terror by men in uniform against civilians.”
Meanwhile, Wike has defended his actions, insisting he would not be intimidated. “I do not understand how someone who has issues over land can use military might to intimidate Nigerians. I won’t succumb to blackmail,” he told journalists after the encounter.
The Abuja land clash has since ignited a national debate, with the public sharply divided over whether Wike overstepped his powers or the officer violated military ethics.