Kebbi State Government: Denies Role in Malami Property Demolition Dispute

• A property along the Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi was demolished, leading to conflicting claims between the Kebbi State Government and Abubakar Malami.
• The Kebbi State Government, through Commissioner Yakubu Ahmed-BK, stated the demolition was a private land ownership dispute and denied government involvement.
• Businessman Umaru Gulumbe presented a Certificate of Occupancy and records of complaints to authorities, claiming ownership of the demolished property.
• Abubakar Malami, the ADC governorship candidate, accused political opponents of destroying his property to provoke him and has petitioned the police.
• The state government urged anyone disputing Gulumbe's ownership to seek resolution through a competent court rather than public accusations.

This high-profile Birnin Kebbi Sani Abacha Bypass demolition case serves as a stark illustration of the complexities and potential for politicization that can plague property disputes in Nigeria.

A property situated along the Sani Abacha Bypass in Birnin Kebbi was recently demolished, sparking a public controversy and a war of words between the Kebbi State Government and Abubakar Malami, the African Democratic Congress (ADC) governorship candidate. The incident drew significant public attention after local residents observed earth-moving equipment at the site, with many recording and sharing videos of the demolition across social media platforms. While the state government characterized the event as the outcome of a private land ownership disagreement, Malami, who previously served as the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, alleged that political adversaries were behind the destruction of his property, aiming to incite him and his supporters. This Kebbi Malami property demolition dispute quickly escalated into a prominent local issue, with both sides presenting starkly different narratives regarding the circumstances of the incident.

Speaking on behalf of the Kebbi State Government, Commissioner for Information and Culture, Yakubu Ahmed-BK, clarified the administration's position, asserting that Governor Nasir Idris's government neither sanctioned nor participated in the demolition. Ahmed-BK firmly maintained that the incident stemmed from a private land ownership conflict between individuals, not a state-sponsored action. He further accused the ADC of attempting to politicize the matter, suggesting it was an effort to portray the government as hostile towards opposition parties. The Commissioner expressed concern that a private disagreement was being framed as political persecution without any credible evidence linking the administration to the demolition. He emphasized that the mere act of a building being razed does not automatically implicate the state government, highlighting that established legal procedures exist for resolving such property ownership disputes.

Ahmed-BK revealed that preliminary investigations and documents provided by a businessman named Umaru Gulumbe indicated that the core of the disagreement revolved around the property's ownership. Gulumbe presented a Certificate of Occupancy, which bore the signature of former Governor Adamu Aliero, along with records of complaints he had previously filed with both the police and the Ministry of Lands and Housing. The Commissioner stated that various relevant committees had reviewed these competing ownership claims, with Gulumbe consistently asserting his proprietary rights. He challenged any party disputing Gulumbe's ownership to pursue their claims through a competent court rather than resorting to public accusations, reiterating that the government would not be drawn into a private dispute merely because some sought to imbue it with political overtones. Furthermore, Ahmed-BK criticized certain aides of Malami for allegedly issuing inflammatory statements and personal attacks directed at Governor Idris in the wake of the incident.

Abubakar Malami, the former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, firmly believes the demolition of the commercial property along the Sani Abacha Road was a deliberate act by political opponents. He views the destruction as a calculated attempt to provoke him and his supporters, suggesting a clear case of political interference in property disputes in Nigeria. In response to the incident, Malami has formally petitioned the Kebbi State Commissioner of Police, seeking official intervention and investigation into the matter. This action underscores the gravity with which Malami perceives the event, moving beyond public accusations to engage with law enforcement regarding what he considers an unlawful act against his property. The Abubakar Malami Kebbi land dispute thus takes on a formal legal dimension, even as the state government maintains its distance.

This high-profile Birnin Kebbi Sani Abacha Bypass demolition case serves as a stark illustration of the complexities and potential for politicization that can plague property disputes in Nigeria. Even when legal instruments like a Certificate of Occupancy are involved, as presented by Umaru Gulumbe, the path to resolution can become convoluted by public accusations and political narratives. The dispute highlights the critical importance of verifying property titles and adhering to established judicial processes for resolving ownership claims. Relying on public accusations, especially when prominent individuals or political figures are involved, risks undermining the legal enforceability of claims and can transform what might be a straightforward land dispute into a politically charged confrontation. This scenario underscores the need for all parties to pursue resolution through the courts, ensuring due process and avoiding the perception of political interference in property ownership matters.

This case highlights the complexities and potential politicization of property disputes in Nigeria, even when legal documents like a Certificate of Occupancy are involved. Lawyers should advise clients on the critical importance of verifying property titles and pursuing resolution through established judicial processes, rather than engaging in public accusations, especially when high-profile individuals or political figures are involved, to ensure legal enforceability of claims.

Source: Original reporting via PUNCH