Lere Olayinka, Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications to the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike, has shed more light on the ownership controversy surrounding a disputed parcel of land in Abuja that recently sparked a confrontation between Wike and a naval officer.

According to Olayinka, former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.), was deceived into purchasing the land. He explained that the property was originally allocated in 2007 to Santos Estate Limited for the purpose of developing a park and recreation centre.

Olayinka said the company failed to use the land as intended because it was located on a walkway. In 2022, it wrote to the FCT Administration seeking a change of use from “park and recreation” to “public park.” However, while awaiting approval, the company allegedly began subdividing and selling parts of the land to private buyers, including Vice Admiral Gambo.

“The former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Gambo, was scammed. And he has realised that he was scammed. Instead of him to come out and seek help, he resorted to using military might,” Olayinka stated.

He added that the FCT Administration had already declined the company’s application to change the land’s designated purpose, making every ongoing residential construction on the site illegal.