The Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) has clarified its role in a controversial land transaction that has drawn in Plateau lawmaker Adamu Aliyu, amid allegations of fraud, court battles, and an ongoing probe by the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC).
At the centre of the dispute is a parcel of land in Gangare, Jos North Local Government Area, formerly used as JMDB’s mechanical workshop before it was vandalised during past crises.
According to JMDB’s Director of Estate and Building, Barnabas Dafiel, the property was later leased to Hassanta & Sons Multi-Biz Dimension Ltd on a 34-year agreement to develop residential flats, with ownership reverting to the state by 2058. “The Ministry of Justice prepared the agreement. Our intention was that by the end of the lease, our staff could also use the estate as quarters,” Dafiel told PREMIUM TIMES.
He confirmed that Mr Aliyu introduced the company to the board but stressed that the lease strictly prohibits any sublease without prior approval.
Despite this, businessman Abdulyekin Kabiru petitioned the ICPC, alleging that Mr Aliyu and Hassan Maimadara of Hassanta Ltd deceived him into paying N75.84 million for a sublease of the land. Kabiru said the lawmaker personally received millions in deposits into his Guaranty Trust Bank account and later threatened him when he demanded a refund.
JMDB insists the transaction was unlawful. “Hassanta Ltd is not supposed to sublease the land without our approval. They did not consult us,” Dafiel said, faulting both the company and the buyer for failing to carry out due diligence.
The matter has since led to multiple legal actions. In May, Justice B.S. Ngyou of the Plateau State High Court ordered Aliyu to refund part of the payments to Mr Kabiru, but the lawmaker appealed the ruling. In a separate proceeding, a Federal High Court declared him wanted after ICPC reported that he had shunned summons. He later surrendered to the commission and was granted administrative bail, though he is now challenging the warrant in court.
Meanwhile, litigation from another claimant — a woman who occupied the land for years and is now demanding allocation rights — has stalled development on the site.
JMDB maintains it only recognises its original lease agreement with Hassanta Ltd, warning that any breach could lead to revocation. “For now, the site remains sealed until the court case is resolved,” Dafiel said.
The ICPC has confirmed that investigations into the matter are ongoing.
