By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
A retiree and former Chairman, Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), Kaduna Polytechnic (KadPoly) chapter, Comrade Mustapha Bida, has accused a government body and some persons of destroying his property, against court order.
Bida pointed fingers at the Presidential Implementation Committee (PIC) on the White Paper on the Commission of Inquiry into the Alienation of Federal Government Property as well as some identified individuals for allegedly carrying out the act.
He brandished a restraining order issued by Justice E. Andow of the Kaduna State High Court sitting in Kaduna,which had stopped them from executing their intentions.
Bida asserted that the alleged demolition job on his property amounted to contempt of court, serving notice that his lawyers will take up the matter from that point.
Comrade Bida, who retired in 2024 after 39 years of service, had headed to court on the ground that his allocated property at No. 13 Ribadu Road, Unguwan Rimi GRA, Gabasawa, Kaduna, had been unlawfully invaded with the boy’s quarters and fence destroyed while a new fence was being erected by the defendants.
The State High Court consequently issued The interim injunction restraining the alleged land grabbers “from trespassing, destroying, developing, or renaming the property pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
Speaking to journalists on the latest incident, Comrade Bida lamented that despite the court order, those he described as desperate land grabbers, allegedly led by a former polytechnic registrar’s brother and one other person, went to his house and destroyed doors, windows, roofing materials and erected beacons on the land purporting fresh ownership.
Comrade Bida explained: “You came around destroying the entire house, all this roofing, windows and doors.
“I understand that you are aware of the case currently being heard at the Kaduna State High Court involving PIC and three other defendants.
“However, just this past Tuesday, the security guard at my residence called me due to serious threats to my life. These threats have become so severe that I was forced to vacate the premises.
“A close confidant also warned me, emphasizing that in land matters, people can go to extreme lengths, even resorting to spiritual or physical harm; so I had to prioritize my safety.
“Since the commencement of this case, we obtained a court injunction in 2023, which should have stopped any party from taking further actions regarding the disputed land.
“Despite this, on Tuesday, the security guard informed me that Abdullahi Muhammad—who has been the main actor involved in trying to illegally seize the land—was on the property again.
“Abdullahi Muhammad is someone who joined Kaduna Polytechnic in 2020 and was appointed as the secretary of a very sensitive council committee.
“I was shocked. This is contempt of court! I visited the property and found that they were placing beacons, which clearly indicates that their actions are recent and illegal. There was nothing like this before. It’s only now after I have owned the property for two years, that they are attempting to mark it with beacons under the guise of a ‘caveat’.”
The former labour leader added: “I confronted the surveyors on ground and asked if they were aware that the matter is currently in court. They claimed ignorance, so I warned them that I would personally report their involvement as I saw them on site carrying out the work.
“By the time I arrived, Abdullahi had already left. I took photographs of the beacons and demanded the contact of the person who sent them. They said it was their ‘oga’, likely from a private company. When I called the number, it turned out to be someone I know, an ex-staff of the institution (KadPoly).
“I contacted him, and he said he was given the job and provided with a judgment. I asked, “which judgment?” since the case is still ongoing, and the lawyers are only at the pre-trial conference stage. Clearly, there is desperation on their part.”
A distraught-looking Bida continued: “This is the third instance of contempt. You witnessed earlier incidents yourself, including the destruction of the main house, which is the central issue.
“At one point, their lawyer lied in court, claiming that my lawyer had withdrawn from the case -which was completely false.
“He couldn’t substantiate his claim, and we had to clarify the situation before the court.
“The case has now progressed to the pre-trial conference (PTC) stage, and the next sitting is scheduled for May. The only reason your media team missed the last sitting was due to an error in the date.”
On his next course of action in the light of the new development, Comrade Bida said: “I have already briefed my lead counsel, Barrister Sani Addo, although he is currently on a religious pilgrimage (Umrah).
“Once he returns, we will meet with him and provide a detailed briefing on everything that has transpired. I have also informed the head of his chambers.
“If Barrister Sani deems it necessary to proceed with filing a contempt charge, we will take that step and ensure you are updated accordingly.”
The first defendant, PIC, had earlier been accused by Bida, in court, of demolishing some parts of the properties of the plaintiff, despite a court order restraining it from doing so.
Bida recalled: “Despite the court order, they still went ahead and tampered with the properties by demolishing some parts of the properties, by disobeying the court order.
“There was order of the court for parties to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the suit.”
