Lere Olayinka, Media Aide to FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, has disclosed the details of the land in question, which was the subject of the altercations between the Minister and Army Lieutenant A.M. Yerima on Tuesday.
Olayinka, in a statement on Wednesday, stated that the land, which was reported to belong to former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, was originally designated for Park and Recreation by the FCTA.
He explained that the Ex-Naval Chief was scammed, emphasising that the former official was not properly informed about the property and was not given documents to back the purported ownership.
He wrote, “Former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo, was scammed. He was duped by someone who sold the land to him and other people.
“He needs to use his Military Might against the person who sold land meant for PARK and RECREATION to him to build DUPLEXES, not FCTA officials carrying out their lawful duties.”
Olayinka further stated that “The land in question was allocated to SANTOS ESTATE LIMITED in 2007, for PARK and RECREATION.”
Read Also
“In 2022, the company wrote to the then FCT Minister, seeking approval to change LAND USE PURPOSE to residential.
“While still waiting for response to this request, the company decided to partition the land and sell to people, including the former Chief of Naval Staff.
He added, “The then FCT Minister declined the request to change the land use purpose from PARK and RECREATION to RESIDENTIAL.”
“Meanwhile, Santos Estate Limited already sold the land to unsuspecting people, including the former CNS, who is building DUPLEXES on his own.”
“Like I said earlier, shouldn’t the former Chief of Naval Staff be more concerned with the person who scammed him rather than using military might hold on to a property on which he was duped?” Olayinka concluded.
