x

Alleged land in Kadpoly: Court grants plaintiff’s motion

By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

The Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna has granted application for Pretrial Conference (PTC), filed by the former Chairman of Academic Staff Union of Polytechnic (ASUP), Kaduna polytechnic chapter, Comrade Mustapha Yahaya Bida, (rtd).

Comrade Yahaya Bida had filed a law suit in the state high court against Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) of the White Paper on the Commission of Inquiry into the alienation of Federal Government Property, over alleged illegal trespassing on his residence by land grabbers, despite court injunction against the action.

When the case came up on Monday for pretrial conference, Counsel to the plaintiff Barrister Solomon Utuwaya, came up with a motion for extension of time because of inability to file the application at the expected time for one reasons or the other.

The motion was moved and was granted by the the court judge, Justice E Andow and adjourned for 28th January for pretrial conference after which real hearings will commence.

Although the respondent’s Counsel Barrister Abdullahi Ahmed said he was not ready for the motion on ground that he was not served but could not contest further when he was provided with evidence of services in the Court.

Speaking to journalists at the end of the sitting, Counsel to plaintiff, Barrister Solomon Utuwaya of Mamman Nasir Chambers said “The matter came up for pretrial conference where parties expected to file pretrial conference where all issues we want to go into hearing for the matter will be settle after the pleasing days have closed.

“A kinds of streamline exactly all that the court expected to see during trial. So we came by notice of extension of time because we couldn’t file our application within the time, parties are allowed to file outside the time. The motion was moved and granted by the court.

“Although the other counsel said they’re not set because he wasn’t served but there were evidence of services and so court grant our motion and adjourned till 28th January 2025 for pretrial conference.

Also speaking, Barr Abdullahi Ahmed of the Chambers of Hon. Attorney General of Federation (AGF), said Counsel to plaintiff did not certified their PTC, and has to come up with the motion “which I was not served or I’ve not been given the motion in the office.

He also said that the suit was earlier struck out of court for lack of diligent prosecution following consistent absent of plaintiff counsel in court.

The judge advised that respondent counsel, Ahmed to look for an address of service within the state of jurisdiction in accordance with state procedure and rules, in which he promised to inform his office.

Earlier, the defendant, PIC was accused of demolishing some parts of the properties of plaintiff despite the court order from competent court of jurisdiction, restraining it.

“Despite the court order, they still went ahead and tempered with the properties by demolishing some parts of the properties, by disobeying the court order”, plaintiff Counsel had easier disclosed.

“There was order of the court for parties to maintain statues quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit.

Recalled that Comrade Bida, who retired in 2024 after 39 years of service, reported that his allocated property at No. 13 Ribadu Road, Unguwan Rimi GRA, Gabasawa, Kaduna, had been unlawfully invaded.

He also alleged that his boy’s quarters and the fence were destroyed, and a new fence has been erected, contravening the court’s order.

“A Kaduna State High Court issued an interim injunction restraining the land grabbers from trespassing, destroying, developing, or renaming on my property pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” it stated.

Additionally, the court had ordered the Commissioner of Police in Kaduna State and officers of the Special Investigation Bureau (SIB) not to invite Comrade Bida concerning the property until the motion on notice is resolved.

The situation escalated when Bida was summoned by the SIB, who informed him that part of his property had been allocated to another individual. He requested police assistance to visit the site and verify the claims, which he asserted were false.

During the police visit, it became apparent that the area claimed by the PIC operatives was merely plain land and not the boys’ quarters as alleged.

“They know they have powers over landed properties only, not plain land. Moreover, the gazetted procedure clearly states that properties must be sold ‘as is and where is,’” it stated.

“Despite the evidence, the police insisted that Bida allow the land grabbers to enter and commence development on his property. He was shown an offer letter in the name of one Saminu Abubakar, who has not been located since the case began.

Bida, who was the longest-serving Chairman of ASUP, claimed that many other staff members of Kaduna Polytechnic are facing similar challenges and have taken legal action. He believes his pursuit of legal redress has prompted the land grabbers to target his property.

He stated that he duly applied for the property, received an offer letter, and paid the required fees, including an additional 5% for administrative charges and the cost of obtaining a Certificate of Occupancy (C of O).

Comrade Mustapha Bida is calling on the court and all relevant stakeholders to intervene to protect his property from illegal encroachment.

He emphasized that justice must prevail to deterred other land grabbers, and reaffirm that no one is above the law. Recalled that the aggrieved Kadpoly staff recently petitioned NASS of alleged involvement of managements of the school in what they termed outright sales of the school properties for personal gains.

Hot this week

Delta APC Passes Confidence Vote, Endorses Tinubu, Oborevwori for 2027 Elections

By Anne AzukaThe All Progressives Congress (APC) in Delta...

Super Eagles Draw Gabon in 2026 World Cup Play-off Semi-final

Nigeria will face Gabon in the semi-finals of the...

Kogi Govt Partners L-PRES to Boost Livestock Productivity

By Noah Ocheni, LokojaThe Kogi State Government, in collaboration...

WHO Appoints Dr.Pavel Ursu As Nigeria’s Country Rep

By Joyce Remi-BabayejuThe World Health Organization , WHO,...

FG Targets Speedy Trials, Plans Decongestion of Correctional Centres

By Francis WilfredThe Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo,...

JUST IN: Bayelsa Senator Friday Konbowei Joins APC

The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has gained another...

Corruption Is More Than Stealing Money, Says ICPC Chairman

The Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other...

DHQ Explains Delay in Soldiers’ Allowances, Blames System Glitches

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has attributed the recent delay...

BREAKING: Senate Begins Screening of INEC Chairman-Designate, Prof. Joash Amupitan

The Senate has commenced the screening and confirmation process...

JUST IN: NMA Declares Nnamdi Kanu Fit for Trial, Says Illness Not Life-Threatening

The Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has informed the Federal...

Uma Ukpai: PFN plans Posthumous Thanksgiving in Uyo, Lagos, Abuja

By Ogenyi Ogenyi,UyoFollowing the announcement of the passing on...

Match fixtures

Scottish Championship16:00 CEST ArbroathvSt Johnstone 16:00 CEST AyrvMorton 16:00 CEST PartickvRoss...

2026 Hajj: FCT Pilgrims to Enjoy Seamless Exercise, MPWB Vows

By Joyce Remi-Babayeju The FCT Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board...

Related Articles

Popular Categories

spot_imgspot_img