Sokoto State Government has sealed a campaign office of the African Democratic Congress on Ahmadu Bello Way in Sokoto metropolis, citing questions over the building’s ownership and concerns about public safety. Aminu Abdullahi, media aide to the ADC governorship candidate, confirmed the development to Channels Television.
He said the Commissioner for Land and Housing, Nasiru Dantsoho, visited the premises with a letter requesting clarification about the building’s occupants. The property, formerly occupied by the defunct Savannah Bank, had also previously served as the Peoples Democratic Party’s office in the state.
According to Abdullahi, the government maintained that its records identified Savannah Bank as the owner and questioned the legal basis on which the current occupants were using the premises. Dantsoho said the building was sealed on Monday, November 2, following an alleged disturbance involving party supporters and people he described as miscreants.
He said the government examined the property’s certificate of occupancy and other documents but found no official record showing a change of ownership. “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,” he said.
The commissioner added that the government had contacted the Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation for clarification. “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. Dantsoho said the premises would remain sealed pending a response from the corporation, describing the action as necessary to prevent further disturbances and protect lives and property. He asked anyone claiming ownership to submit the relevant documents for verification and proper documentation. BuyMaps
According to him, the building could be released to its rightful owner once the ownership question had been resolved. The commissioner maintained that the premises would remain under state government control in the meantime. He also warned that anyone attempting to force entry into the sealed building could face legal action, including prosecution.