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Lere Olayinka, the Senior Special Assistant on Publicity and Communications to the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has provided additional insights into the ongoing ownership dispute over a piece of land in Abuja. This land has recently become a source of contention between the minister and a naval officer.
Olayinka revealed that the former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Gambo, who has laid claim to the land, was actually misled when he purchased it. It turns out that Gambo fell victim to a scam during the transaction.
Land Allocation and Background
The land in question was initially assigned in 2007 to a company named Santos Estate Limited. The allocation was made with the intention of developing a park and recreation center on the plot.
Unfortunately, the company did not proceed with the development as planned because the land was situated on a designated walkway, which posed significant challenges to its intended use.
In light of these difficulties, Santos Estate Limited reached out to the FCT Minister in 2022, requesting a reclassification of the land’s purpose. Their proposal was to shift its designation from a park and recreation center to a 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…
The former chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Gambo was scämmed.
Instead of him to come out and seek help, he resolved to using military might — Lere Olayinka, SSA Publicity & Comms to Wike.— YabaLeftOnline (@yabaleftonline) November 12, 2025
