The Nigerian Army has described as an abuse of court process a lawsuit filed by a professor, John Ntui Ntuiabane, concerning a disputed property in the Apo District of the Federal Capital Territory.

In the suit marked FHC/ABJ/C’S/2635/2025, the professor is asking the court to interpret citizens’ rights to own property in Nigeria, among other requests. He is also seeking to preserve the ownership rights of a retired deceased major who was initially allocated the property, which is currently occupied by a retired naval chief.

The property in dispute gained public attention after an incident involving Lt. Ahmed Yerima, a naval officer stationed at the site, and the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. The altercation occurred when the minister led officials of the Federal Capital Territory Administration to the plot.

In a preliminary objection dated March 24, 2026, the Army, through human rights lawyer Victor Giwa, asked the court to dismiss the case, arguing that it is legally incompetent and that the court lacks jurisdiction to hear it.

According to the objection, the suit was filed through an originating process that is speculative, hypothetical, and academic in nature. Giwa argued that the claimant is essentially seeking a judicial opinion on an academic issue and urged the Federal High Court to strike out the case, suggesting it could be used as a classroom example instead.

The plaintiff listed several defendants in the suit, including the Minister of Defence, the Minister of State for Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, former naval chief Zubairu Gambo, Lt. Ahmed Yerima, and the Attorney-General of the Federation.