The Sokoto State Government has sealed off a campaign office belonging to the African Democratic Congress (ADC), citing an unresolved ownership dispute and recent disturbances involving party supporters.
Announcing the action in Sokoto on Monday, the Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barrister Nasiru Dantsoho, said the building was sealed to safeguard lives and property following a clash between ADC supporters and suspected miscreants.
Mr Dantsoho explained that a review of the Certificate of Occupancy and other title documents revealed that the property originally belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank, with no record of any valid transfer of ownership.
He disclosed that the state government had written to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which he described as the custodian of the property, seeking clarification on its current ownership status, but said no response had been received as of Monday.
“Following a review of the certificate of occupancy and other relevant documents, we discovered that this property belongs to the Savannah Bank, and that ownership has not changed as of today,” the commissioner said.
“We have written to the NDIC, the custodian of this building, to clarify its present ownership, but we are yet to receive a response.”
Mr Dantsoho said the premises would remain sealed pending the corporation’s response, adding that the measure became necessary to prevent a recurrence of the recent disturbance.
He called on anyone laying claim to the property to come forward with relevant documents for verification and proper documentation, after which the building could be released to its rightful owner.
The commissioner warned that anyone attempting to forcefully gain access to the sealed premises would face legal action, including prosecution.
The sealing comes amid rising political tension in Sokoto, following allegations of attacks involving ADC supporters and operatives of a state-owned security outfit.
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