Yerima acted lawfully, Wike overstepped — Defence minister

Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, has declared that the naval officer involved in the viral confrontation with Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister Nyesom Wike committed no offence, insisting the officer acted lawfully while Wike overstepped established procedures.

Speaking on Thursday in an interview with DCL Hausa, Matawalle revealed that before visiting the disputed property in Abuja, Wike had contacted the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Naval Staff, both of whom advised him to allow the military to investigate the matter. He stated that the minister ignored that counsel and directly confronted Lieutenant Commander A.M. Yerima, who was on duty at the site.

According to Matawalle, Yerima acted strictly on orders, demonstrated restraint, and maintained the discipline expected of a military officer. He emphasised that the young officer “obeyed a lawful order and followed due process,” adding that disrespecting a uniformed officer amounts to indirectly disrespecting the Commander-in-Chief.

His comments followed a statement by Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to protecting military personnel carrying out lawful duties. Badaru had warned against actions that undermine the dignity of uniformed officers.

The confrontation, captured in a viral video, showed Wike verbally attacking the officer over access to the disputed land. But Wike defended his actions, insisting Yerima enforced an illegal instruction and failed to accord him respect as the president’s representative. He also criticised former Chief of Army Staff, General Tukur Buratai, for suggesting he apologise, accusing the retired general of political bias.

The incident has drawn wide reactions. Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, described the altercation as an affront to state authority, saying the uniform represents the power and legitimacy of the state and must be respected. Former Senate President Ahmad Lawan also urged Nigerians to respect security personnel, whose sacrifices, he said, are central to national stability.

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, condemned both sides. He noted that while Yerima had no legal basis to guard a private property or obstruct a lawful government assignment, Wike used derogatory language unbefitting of a public official. He urged President Bola Tinubu to compel the minister to apologise.

Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, also faulted Wike, accusing him of trespassing and attempting to enforce possession of private land without lawful authority. He stressed that no ministerial office grants the power to forcibly enter land under adverse possession without a court order.