By Idibia Gabriel, Kaduna
Former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Kaduna Polytechnic, Comrade Mustapha Yahaya Bida, has sounded the alarm over alleged illegal trespassing on his residence by land grabbers, despite a court injunction against such actions.
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, has been unlawfully invaded. He lamented that his boys’ 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 remaining on my property pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” he 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 Presidential Implementation Committee (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,’” he explained.
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 deter other land grabbers and reaffirm that no one is above the law.
