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

Lere Olayinka, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister’s Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications, has provided additional information about who owns the contested Abuja land that recently led to a confrontation between the minister and a naval officer.

Vice Admiral Gambo, who claimed ownership of the land, was duped into purchasing it, according to Olayinka, the former Chief of Naval Staff.

Background and Land Allocation
According to Olayinka, the contentious property was first given to Santos Estate Limited in 2007 with the intention of creating a park and entertainment center.

He did point out, though, that because the site was on a walkway, the corporation was unable to make use of it.

“The corporation wrote to the FCT Minister in 2022 to request a change of property use from park and recreation to public park,” he continued.

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.

Redesignated Land for Public Structures
According to Olayinka, the land’s location has since been repurposed for corporate institutions and public structures rather than residential use.

He emphasized that Gambo had neither the required approval from the Abuja Development Control Department to build on the land nor legitimate legal documentation attesting to its ownership.

Watch the video here…