Ishaku inaugurates Judicial Commission on sales of farmland in Taraba
The Taraba state government has constituted an 8-man Judicial Commission of Enquiry to look into the sale of farmlands in Sardauna local government area of the state.
The state governor, Darius Dickson Ishaku, while inaugurating the committee in Jalingo on Tuesday, urged the members to work within the stipulated time frame of three weeks from the date of inauguration with the aim of achieving its purpose.
He said there has been series of reports and complaints from indigenes of the local government and owners of farmland and grazing lands bordering on illegal acquisition and sales of land and illegal occupation of lands belonging to individuals, communities and even governments.
Ishaku, represented by Haruna Manu, the State Deputy Governor said, most disturbing in the reports are allegations of outright compromise of government officials, both at the state and local government levels, describing the trend as a threat to the local government and the state as a whole.
According to him, the essence of the commission is to make sure that all issues relating to land disputes in the local government are thoroughly reviewed and recommendations made to the state government for lasting solutions.
The terms of reference given to the commission were: to investigate the legality or otherwise of the acquisition of the parcels of lands in question and from whom, number of hectares; the period of acquisition and whether or not ground rent is being paid on such parcels of lands since acquisition/purchase.
Members of the commission were also mandated to verify whether right of occupancy on the lands were issued and by who, to verify whether the lands were inherited or outright purchase and evidence of such purchase/sales agreement, they were further charged to ascertain who witnessed the sales of the land i.e. District village or ward heads or religious leaders.
They were to determine whether due processes were followed in the purchase of the lands and to recommend any other measure that will prevent the indiscriminate purchase/sales of lands in future.
Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, the chairman of the commission, Justice Nuhu Adi, thanked the state government for the confidence reposed on them and assured that they will deliver on the mandate given to them.
Members of the commission were: Justice Nuhu Adi, Chairman, Alh. Usman Samari Kakara, Barr. Elijah Nyaro, Alh. Saidu Bawa, CSP Abubakar Ibrahim, Joseph Emmanuel, Philip Adeyoungo (members) and Bar. Hamidu J. Gimba, to serve as secretary.
