A top aide to Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory Minister Nyesom Wike on Wednesday accused retired Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo of being duped in a contentious Abuja property deal, alleging the former navy boss resorted to “military might” rather than legal channels to assert control over land earmarked for public recreation.
Lere Olayinka, Wike’s media adviser, made the claims during a Channels Television appearance, insisting Gambo purchased the plot from a firm that lacked authority to sell it, as the site in the capital’s upscale district was originally allocated for park and green space purposes.
“The former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo (retd.) was scammed by the company that sold the land to him. The land in question is meant for park and recreation,” Olayinka said.
He added: “Instead of him to come out and seek help, he resolved to using military might. He doesn’t own the land and he has no document to prove he owns it.”
The row traces to a 2007 allocation to Santos Estate Limited for non-commercial use, with no development ensuing until 2022, when the company angled for a commercial rezoning and prematurely divvied up portions — including to Gambo — without final approval.
Olayinka argued the ex-admiral should target the seller, not the government, questioning: “Now, after selling land allocated to you for park and recreation, for people to build houses, who should the Chief of Naval Staff go and hold? The person who sold or the government? He chose not to hold the company that sold it.”
He reiterated Gambo’s lack of title, stating: “As of today, Vice Admiral Gambo does not have a document, a title document showing that he owns the land. He does not own the land.”
Olayinka challenged the retired officer to furnish proof of proper acquisition, including building permits, amid Wike’s broader clampdown on illegal developments in Abuja’s green corridors.
Gambo, who served as navy chief from 2021 to 2023, has not publicly responded, but the spat has amplified tensions between civilian authorities and military figures over land grabs in Nigeria’s booming capital, where disputes often entangle elite networks.
