Dr Olisa Agbakoba, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), says the clash between Nyesom Wike, minister of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), and Lt. A.M. Yerima of the Nigerian Navy raises urgent questions about civilian authority and the legality of military claims to land in Abuja.
In a statement on Thursday, Agbakoba said while Wike “could have approached Lt. Yerima differently”, the core issue is whether the military has a valid title to the disputed plot.
He said the confrontation should not distract from the need to determine if Yerima lawfully occupies the land or is “simply wielding military power to assert control”.
Agbakoba questioned whether military directives can override civilian law in a democratic system.
His words: “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?”
He said clarity is needed on whether “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?” Agbakoba asked.
He said the matter “certainly warrants a thorough investigation”.
The article was originally published on Politics Nigeria.