News

Plateau: Whistleblowers Expose Alleged Illegal Sales and Misappropriation of Government Properties

Published

3 years ago

June 15, 2023

Preport

Following the recently constituted and inaugurated Task Force on the Recovery of Purported Auctioned Government Property in Plateau State, a series of reports from anonymous whistleblowers have shed light on alleged illegal sales and misappropriation of government properties in Plateau State.

The reports, obtained from undisclosed sources, reveal troubling details about the sale of government assets and the unauthorized use of public land for personal gain. The whistleblowers are urging authorities to investigate these claims and take appropriate action.

In the first report, it is alleged that the recently renovated Shendam Governors Lodge (VIP) was sold to the immediate past Governor. The whistleblowers call for a thorough examination of the property transaction to verify these claims.

The second report highlights various instances where government properties were reportedly sold to politicians, friends, and relatives of the previous administration. These properties include a block of government quarters within the GRA (Mangu Court), un-developed plots within the GRA, and a large government land near Bukuru. The whistleblowers assert that these sales were conducted without proper authorization and raise concerns about favoritism and potential religious discrimination in land allocation. They also call for a comprehensive audit of government vehicles purchased during Governor Jang’s tenure.

The third report focuses on the ongoing illegal sales of government land at Langtang, specifically designated for temporal structures. According to the whistleblowers, permanent structures are being built in violation of the initial agreement. They request an immediate transfer of the Business Manager at Langtang, a halt to construction activities for investigation purposes, and the submission of all allocation papers to the relevant committee.

In the fourth report, the customary landowners of the Industrial Layout in Dahwol Giring allege that the land was commandeered by the government for industrial purposes without compensation. However, the present Director of Land, along with other top officers of the Ministry of Lands and Survey, purportedly converted it into a residential area and sold it without compensating the rightful owners. The whistleblowers call for government intervention to address this issue.

The fifth report claims that the Ministry of Science and Technology’s Toyota Hilux is in the possession of the former Commissioner. The whistleblowers provide this information, suggesting the need for an investigation into the alleged misuse of government vehicles.

The sixth report alleges that PLASCHEMA has refused to account for and return a white 406 Peugeot car entrusted to him. The whistleblowers urge the appropriate authorities to address this matter.

Additionally, the eighth and ninth reports raise concerns about properties located near the “B” station/barracks in Bukuru. The eighth report provides a specific location behind the barracks, close to the Total Gas station, while the ninth report focuses on a property owned by the Plateau State Water Board. The whistleblowers express suspicion about the rapid development of new buildings on the premises, potentially involving private individuals.

The whistleblowers hope that their reports will prompt investigations into these alleged irregularities and serve as a call for government intervention. They have come forward in the interest of transparency and accountability, emphasizing the need to protect public assets and ensure they are used for their intended purposes. The responsibility now rests with the relevant authorities to address these claims and take appropriate action to safeguard public trust.

News

Court reserves judgment in Olawepo-Hashim’s suit against Accord Party, INEC

Published

11 minutes ago

July 15, 2026

Preport

The Federal High Court in Abuja has reserved judgment in a suit filed by Dr Gbenga Olawepo-Hashim seeking to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise him as the Accord Party’s presidential candidate for the 2027 election.

Justice Mohammed Umar fixed the matter for judgment on Wednesday after all parties adopted their final written addresses.

He said the date for the judgment would be communicated to the parties.

Olawepo-Hashim, through his lawyer, Henry Akunebu, SAN, asked the court to direct the Accord Party to immediately submit his name to INEC as its presidential candidate.

He argued that documents presented by the party and INEC, including a letter said to have cancelled the primary election that produced him, should not be relied upon by the court.

According to him, the documents lacked the party’s official stamp and contained other irregularities, which he said raised doubts about their authenticity.

The plaintiff also challenged the party’s computer-generated membership register tendered before the court, insisting that it did not meet the legal requirements for admissibility.

He maintained that the Accord Party never cancelled the presidential primary election and urged the court to compel the party to forward his name to INEC.

However, the Accord Party asked the court to dismiss the suit, arguing that the presidential primary had been validly cancelled because no aspirant purchased nomination forms or participated in the exercise.

The party also maintained that INEC did not monitor the primary because it had already been cancelled.

INEC equally urged the court to dismiss the suit, stating that it did not monitor the alleged primary election because it had been cancelled by the party.

In the suit, Olawepo-Hashim is seeking a declaration that the party’s refusal to submit his name to INEC violated the Electoral Act 2026, the Constitution and INEC’s guidelines.

He is also asking the court, in the alternative, to order the Accord Party to conduct a fresh presidential primary in which he would be allowed to participate if his request to be recognised as the party’s candidate is declined.

News

Court Fixes August 11 for Ruling in Angwan Rukuba Killings Case

Published

3 hours ago

July 15, 2026

Preport

A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has scheduled August 11, 2026, to deliver its ruling on a preliminary objection challenging its jurisdiction to hear the case involving four persons standing trial over the Angwan Rukuba killings.

The court will also rule on the same day on an application seeking the transfer of one of the defendants from the custody of the Department of State Services (DSS) to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention.

During Wednesday’s proceedings, counsel to the first and second defendants, Mr. M. I. Shaba (SAN), argued that the Plateau State High Court lacks the jurisdiction to entertain the matter. He maintained that the charges against his clients border on terrorism, which falls within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.

The prosecution, represented by the Director of Civil Litigation in the Plateau State Ministry of Justice, Mr. Sabo Longji, opposed the application, urging the court to dismiss the objection. He relied on a counter-affidavit filed on behalf of the state government.

After hearing arguments from both the defence and prosecution, the presiding judge, Justice Gedaliah Fwomyon, reserved ruling on both the jurisdictional challenge and the application for medical transfer until August 11, 2026.

The Plateau State Government had earlier arraigned Adamu Isa Alhassan, Isa Umar Ibrahim, Auwalu Abubakar (popularly known as Auwalu Dogo), Musa Abubakar Ibrahim (also known as Yaroro), and Ado Ibrahim, who remains at large, over their alleged involvement in the deadly attack.

The defendants are facing charges in connection with the Palm Sunday attack on Angwan Rukuba in Jos North Local Government Area, during which about 30 people lost their lives, making it one of the state’s most tragic incidents in recent years.