The Sokoto State Government has sealed an office of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) following a recent disturbance involving party supporters and suspected miscreants.
The Commissioner for Lands and Housing, Barrister Nasiru Dantsoho, announced the development on Monday, saying the action was taken to protect lives and property and prevent further disturbances.
Dantsoho said the government reviewed the certificate of occupancy and other relevant documents relating to the property and discovered that it originally belonged to the defunct Savannah Bank.
“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 had contacted the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) to establish the property’s current ownership but was yet to receive an official response.
He said the premises would remain sealed pending clarification from the corporation, adding that the measure was necessary to prevent further disturbances and safeguard lives and property.
Dantsoho urged anyone claiming ownership of the building to submit relevant documents to the state government for verification, assuring that the property could be released to its rightful owner once the claim was established.
He, however, maintained that the government would retain control of the premises until the ownership dispute was resolved, warning that anyone attempting to forcefully access the sealed building would face legal consequences, including prosecution.
The development comes amid heightened political tension in Sokoto State following allegations of attacks involving ADC supporters and operatives of a state-owned security outfit.
