Prominent human rights activist and lawyer, Dele Farotimi, has once again stirred public debate with his measured but pointed reaction to the ongoing controversy involving the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Minister, Nyesom Wike, and Lieutenant A.M. Yerima of the Nigerian military.
In a post shared on his official X handle on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Farotimi responded to a follower who sought his opinion on the conduct of the young officer during the confrontation with Wike. His response, though brief, delved into deeper questions about the rule of law, civil-military relations, and the abuse of institutional powers in Nigeria.
“Have you wondered if the order Yerima is obeying is legal?” Farotimi asked, opening his post with a series of rhetorical questions that have since ignited discussions online. “If Yerima, Wike, and the officer who gave the order are subject to the rule of law, would the officer be able to order a naval officer to secure a disputed plot of land? What is the role of the courts?”
Farotimi’s statement was not a defence of either party but a principled critique of lawlessness and impunity in high places. He clarified that while he personally disapproves of Wike’s abrasive style of administration, he remains unwavering in his commitment to truth and legal order.
The activist’s post comes amid growing outrage over the use of armed military personnel to guard disputed private properties in the capital city. Videos circulating online showed an intense verbal exchange between the FCT Minister and a soldier allegedly stationed to restrict access to a site under investigation by the Department of Development Control.
Farotimi’s remarks have since sparked wide-ranging reactions, with many Nigerians echoing his sentiment that no public official or military officer should act above the law. Some commentators praised him for maintaining objectivity in a highly charged political climate, while others argued that Wike’s confrontational governance style has exposed long-standing irregularities in Abuja’s land administration system.
Farotimi’s intervention serves as a timely reminder of the dangers of normalizing impunity, urging both the political class and the security establishment to respect due process. His insistence that loyalty must always be to the law, not personalities, resonates with many Nigerians who continue to decry the weakening of institutions in favor of political influence. View, More,
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