Wike-Yerima Clash: “Why Naval Officer Breached The Law”: SAN Explains
- A constitutional law expert, Prof. Sebastine Hon, has reacted to the confrontation between the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, and a Naval officer, AM Yerima
- Legit.ng reported that Wike and the FCTA officials were blocked and prevented from accessing land by some military men
- The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) explained the reason the officer breached the law in the trending incident
Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 8 years of experience covering metro, government policy, and international issues
FCT, Abuja - A constitutional law expert, Prof. Sebastine Hon, has described the conduct of Naval Officer A.M. Yerima, who clashed with the FCT minister, Nyesom Wike, as “breach of the law.”
Legit.ng reported that Wike was blocked and prevented from accessing a land in the Gaduwa District of Abuja by some military men on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
Source: Twitter
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) faulted the officer’s decision to obstruct Wike’s access to a disputed plot of land in Abuja.
The law professor said Yerima’s act could not be justified under any lawful military order.
As reported by The Punch, Hon stated this while reacting to the incident in a Facebook post on Wednesday, November 12, 2025.
“The duty of a junior officer to obey the orders of his superiors, even though strongly upheld in military and paramilitary circles, has its own limitations recognised by no other authority but the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
Hon cited Supreme Court rulings in Onunze v. State (2023) 8 NWLR (Pt. 1885) 61 and Nigeria Air Force v. James (2002) 18 NWLR (Pt. 798) 295.
He said the mentioned ruling clearly established that military officers are not bound to obey illegal or manifestly unjust orders.
“The illegality in that order stems primarily from the fact that no service law of the military permits a serving military officer to mount guard at the private construction site of his boss, especially under suspicious circumstances like this.”
The SAN further stated that if security concerns existed, “the retired Naval Officer ought, under the circumstances, to have engaged the civil police.”
Source: Facebook
Defence HQ posts cryptic message after Wike's clash
Recall that the Nigerian Defence Headquarters dropped a cryptic message via its X handle on Tuesday, November 11, 2025.
The Defence Headquarters said it is a thing of honour and privilege to serve in the Nigerian military.
The social media post comes after Wike clashed with some military men over a land dispute in Abuja.
Read more similar stories:
- Abuja: Lt. Yerima Speaks on Why Military Officers Won't Kill Wike, FCTA Officials, Others
- "Unruly and Arrogant": Wike Blasts Gallant Naval Officer Who Confronted Him in Abuja
- VP Shettima's Top Aide Mentions Whose Right Between Wike and Gallant Naval Officer
- Wike vs Military Officer Yerima: Isaac Fayose Questions Minister Over His Power Amid Viral Saga
- Wike vs Officer: 'He Represents the President,' Jonathan's Ex-Minister Wades into Brawl Controversy
- Wike vs Military Officer Yerima: Deji Adeyanju Calls Out FCT Minister, Alleges Land Revocations
Wike-Yerima’s clash: Nigerian Navy keeps mum
Legit.ng also reported that the clash between Wike and some officers of the Nigerian Navy has continued to generate reactions from Nigerians.
Legit.ng reported that Wike was blocked and prevented from accessing a land by some officers in Abuja.
The Nigerian Navy, however, has remained silent following the viral video showing the heated argument between Wike and Officer AM Yerima.
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Source: Legit.ng
