An Abuja based legal practitioner, Hameed Ajibola Jimoh, Wednesday made a case for the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, in respect of a land enforcement issue in Abuja, which led to a shouting match between him and Lieutenant Ahmed Yerima.

Jimoh’s position was coming against the backdrop of altercation that took place in Abuja cbetween the minister and the naval officer, who led other troops to guide a disputed land which allegedly belonged to a former Chief of Naval Staff.

The senior lawyer in a chat with Blueprint argued that the naval officer had no right to restrain the minister from carrying out his official duty.

He hinged his arguments on the fact that the FCT minister is on the authority of the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, insisting that the confrontation by the officer was highly condescending and unlawful and in fact, a confrontation to the President, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

 Ajibola stated further: “With due respect, the FCT minister is in charge of the lands in Abuja. No one is above the law, even military personnel.

“The land not being a personal land, the officers have no right to restrain the minister from carrying out his official duty with regards to the land.

 “Some have opined that the FCT minister should have called the concerned retired military personnel on phone and have a table talk. I beg to disagree with this dangerous precedent. 

“If the said retired officer had violated the land laws and or regulations, in his personal capacity, he is different from ordinary civilians with same fate? No.  Hence, he can only take legal action in court of law for necessary redress and not violent confrontation with the minister carrying out the authority of the president.We must not be sentimental about this. The rule of law must be followed.”