Firm sue police officers for alleged illegal occupation of Sokoto quarters

A construction company, All Pro Developers Limited, has dragged 10 police officers before the Sokoto State Tribunal for illegally occupying properties situated in the quarters along Kontagora Road, Sokoto metropolis.

The company is seeking an order directing the occupants to vacate the premises, which it claimed were allocated to it by the Sokoto State Government for development.

In the suit filed through its counsel, Mr Erabor Ogiza, the firm alleged that the defendants had no valid documents conferring any legal right to occupy or retain possession of the quarters.

The plaintiff specifically told the tribunal that it found no allocation letter, tenancy agreement, title document or other official correspondence granting the defendants ownership or lawful occupation of the property.

The defendants include the Commissioner of Police, Abdulrazak Gulma; Umar Bala-Bungudu, Nasir Lawal, Abubakar Musa, Abdullahi Mukhtar, Ibrahim Bawa, Sani Chika, Murtala Aliyu and Usman Sani-Wamakko.

During Tuesday’s proceedings, Ogiza informed the tribunal that all the defendants had been served with the court processes, but noted that the Commissioner of Police was absent and had no counsel in court.

However, he requested an adjournment after receiving a counter-affidavit and preliminary objection filed by the defendants.

“I have just been served with the counter-affidavit and preliminary objection filed by the defendants. We need time to respond appropriately,” Ogiza told the tribunal.

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The Lead Defence Counsel, Mr Nasiru Shehu-Na’ige, did not oppose the application, but noted that the defence was ready to proceed with the case.

Following the submissions, the tribunal judge, Mr Jafar Aliyu-Dangere, adjourned the matter to September 22 for continuation of the hearing.

Arewa PUNCH reports that the legal battle has also triggered protests by families residing in the disputed quarters.

On September 6, wives and children of serving and deceased police officers occupying the premises took to the streets, appealing to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Rilwan Tunde Disu, and other relevant authorities to intervene.

The placard-carrying protesters appealed against what they described as an attempt to force them out of their homes while the ownership dispute is still before the tribunal.

Some of the widows who spoke to our correspondent said their husbands died in active service and thus pleaded with the authorities not to compound the hardship faced by their respective families as a result of the absence of the fallen officers.

They called on the police authorities and the Sokoto State Government to reach an amicable settlement and protect the affected families pending the tribunal’s final determination.

The parties are expected to return to the tribunal on September 22 for further hearing of the case.