The Sokoto State Government has sealed a campaign office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a dispute over the ownership of the property.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, disclosed this on Monday, explaining that the action was taken to prevent further disturbances and safeguard lives and property after a recent confrontation involving party supporters and suspected miscreants.
Dantsoho said a review of the property’s Certificate of Occupancy and other relevant documents showed that the building originally belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank, with no official record indicating a change of ownership.
According to him, the state government had formally written to the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC), which he described as the custodian of the property, seeking clarification on its current ownership but was yet to receive a response.
“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.
“We have written to the NDIC, the custodian of this building, to clarify its present ownership, but we are yet to receive a response,” he said.
The commissioner explained that the government decided to seal the premises pending clarification from the NDIC to prevent further confrontations and maintain public order.
He urged individuals or organisations claiming ownership of the property to present relevant documents to the government for verification and proper documentation.
Dantsoho assured that the premises would be released to the legitimate owner once the ownership dispute had been resolved.
He, however, maintained that the property would remain under the control of the state government until the matter was conclusively settled.
The commissioner also warned that anyone who attempts to forcefully gain access to the sealed premises would face legal consequences, including possible prosecution.
The development comes amid growing political tension in Sokoto State following allegations of attacks involving ADC supporters and operatives of a state-owned security outfit.
