Ex-Naval Chief was scammed, Abuja land not for residential buildings – Wike’s aide reveals

Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, Lere Olayinka, has given further clarification regarding the ownership of the disputed Abuja land that recently caused a clash between the minister and a naval officer.

According to Olayinka, the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Gambo, who claimed ownership of the land, was scammed into buying it.

Land Allocation and Background

Olayinka explained that the controversial land was originally allocated in 2007 to a company known as Santos Estate Limited for the purpose of establishing a park and recreation centre.

However, he noted that the company failed to utilise the land because it was located on a walkway.

He added that in 2022, the company wrote to the FCT Minister, requesting a change of land use from park and recreation to public park.

While waiting for approval, the company allegedly went ahead to partition and sell parts of the land to individuals, including Vice Admiral Gambo.

“Gambo Was Scammed” — Olayinka

Olayinka stated that Gambo fell victim to a fraudulent land deal. He said:

“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.”

He emphasised that the FCT Administration had earlier declined the request by Santos Estate Limited to change the land’s use in 2022.

The rejection, he said, made all ongoing residential construction on the site illegal.

Land Redesignated for Public Buildings

Olayinka revealed that the area where the land is located has since been redesignated for public buildings and corporate institutions, not for residential purposes.

He stressed that Gambo neither has valid legal documents proving ownership of the land nor obtained the necessary approval from the Abuja Development Control Department to build on it.

Watch the video here…

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