Commissioner of Science and Technology refutes media report on demolishing Structure belonging to orphans.
Niger state commissioner for Science and Technology, Alhaji Umar Yabagi has denied media reports that accused him of allegedly demolishing a house and confiscated a land belonging to the family of one late Alhaji Ahmed Rufai family in Katcha the headquarters of Katcha local government area of Niger state.
While briefing journalists on the true picture of the situation in his office alongside Ndaliman Katcha, who is the personal secretary to the Sheshi of Katcha, recently said the report was false, malicious, unfounded, aimed at tarnishing the good image of the Hon. Commissioner and that of Sheshi Katcha, Alh. Baba Adamu Umar.
The report said that in the early hours of Sunday, a Bulldozer was used to demolish an uncompleted building of about twenty single rooms and another completed house that was inhabited by tenants.
One of the Sons of the alledged land owner, Ndagi Rufai, alledged that the land in question was bought about forty years ago by three brothers who eventually shared it among the three families hence, the purchase of a land by the commissioner Umar Yabagi who wanted to buy the place to add to his own.
The complainants said they went to the Sheshi Katch, Alhaji Abdullahi Adamu Sheshi who asked them to sale the land to the Commissioner but the family insisted,he then want ahead to demolished and clear the debris completely.
The Commissioner said that he legally acquired the said land which is very close to the land they are claiming.
According to him the said land belongs to the family of Magajin garin Katcha and he has fully paid for the said land .
Ndaliman Katcha ,the personal secretary to the Sheshi of Katcha, said the portion of the land in question that the complainant claimed Sheshi Katcha wanted to forcefully collect from them as was never allocated to anybody and they have no documents to prove ownership.
“Let me categorically make it clear here that the land in question has never been allocated to anybody, the Sheshi Katcha is the custodian of all lands in Katcha and as well the paramount ruler, so if any land was allocated, the Sheshi will know.”
He added that when they heard that a land was bought at the said location, they met the Sheshi Katcha to complain about the land purchased by the commissioner, Sheshi Katcha asked them “who allocated the land to you or your parents? There was no answer, where are your documents backing the allocation of the land to you? there was no answer either, they practically told him that they don’t have any document, so how do you claim a property that you don’t have any document as proof.”
He added that the allegation or claim that the commissioner is combining force with Sheshi Katcha to collect their land is baseless, unfounded and the information has no ground.
He further stated the claims was a deliberate attempt to tarnish the good image of the Hon. Commissioner as well as the Sheshi Katcha.
The Sheshi Katcha, according to the commissioner is a reputable leader and his position is sacrosanct and would never do anything dubious to molest the orphans or any person.
The Sheshi’s secretary, Ndaliman Katcha added that the commissioner is a reputable politician who will never descend so low as to cheat or malign anybody, no matter his social status.
“hence the information is baseless, wrong and waterloo,” he however called on journalists to crosscheck their facts before going to press, for accurate, fare hearing and good reportage, the Hon. Umar Yabagi then expresses anger over the report.
Personal secretary to the Sheshi of Katcha, Ndaliman Katcha appealed that if the complainants could come forward with their documents as proof of ownership, the Sheshi will listen to them but as far as there is no document to show, the land remain the property of the Hon. Commissioner, Science and Technology, Alhaji Umar Yabagi.
