By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
The Kaduna State High Court has rescheduled the pre-trial conference in the lawsuit filed against the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on the White Paper on the Commission of Inquiry into the Alienation of Federal Government Property. The case, initiated by Comrade Mustapha Yahaya Bida, a retired former Chairman of the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kaduna Polytechnic chapter, alleges illegal trespassing and demolition of his residence by land grabbers, despite a court injunction.
Alleged Deliberate Delay Tactics
When the case came up for a pre-trial conference on January 28, 2025, counsel for PIC—the first defendant—raised concerns about the second and third defendants not being served. This move, the plaintiff believes, is a deliberate attempt to delay proceedings.
Speaking to journalists after the court session, Comrade Bida stated:
“The pre-trial conference was scheduled for today, and my lawyers were ready. However, the first defendant’s counsel raised the issue of service for the second and third defendants, despite them being his agents. I believe this was done to delay the case.”
He further explained that one of the defendants, Aliyu A. Galadima, had never appeared in court but had sued him separately for damages in a magistrate’s court.
Judge’s Directive and Case Adjournment
The presiding judge, Justice E. Andow, rescheduled the pre-trial conference to March 4, 2025 and directed the defendant’s counsel to provide a valid address for serving the other defendants.
Earlier, the PIC was accused of demolishing parts of the plaintiff’s property, despite a court order restraining any action on the land. The plaintiff’s counsel emphasized:
“There was a valid court order for all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit. Despite this, PIC proceeded with the demolition.”
Allegations of Land Encroachment
Comrade Bida, who retired in 2024 after 39 years of service, claims that his property at No. 13 Ribadu Road, Unguwan Rimi GRA, Gabasawa, Kaduna was unlawfully invaded.
According to him:
- His boy’s quarters and fence were demolished, and a new fence was erected, violating the court’s injunction.
- A Kaduna High Court had earlier issued an interim injunction, restraining the land grabbers from trespassing, developing, or renaming his property.
- The Commissioner of Police and Special Investigation Bureau (SIB) officers were directed not to summon him regarding the property until the motion was heard.
Dispute Over Property Allocation
The conflict escalated when Bida was invited by the SIB, where he was informed that part of his property had been allocated to another individual. However, when police officers visited the site, they discovered that the claimed area was plain land, not the boy’s quarters as alleged.
“The PIC only has authority over existing properties, not vacant land. Moreover, the gazetted procedure states that properties must be sold ‘as is and where is,’” Bida insisted.
Despite the evidence, the police allegedly pressured him to allow the land grabbers to proceed with development.
Bida has also accused the Kadpoly management of selling school properties for personal gain, adding that several staff members are facing similar challenges.
Call for Justice
Comrade Bida has called on the court and relevant authorities to intervene and ensure that his property remains protected.
“Justice must prevail to deter other land grabbers. No one is above the law,” he emphasized.
The case continues on March 4, 2025.
