By; MOHAMMED KAWU, Bauchi
Executive Chairman, Jama’are Local Government Council in Bauchi State, Hon. Sama’ila Yusuf Jarma has refuted a media report indicating tension in the state following a dispute in court between himself, and one Williams Duru over the demolition of a house belonging to him.
A press statement on Thursday, signed by the Special Assistant to the Council Chairman, Adamu Danjumai Sale and made available to newsmen in Bauchi said, “The attention of the Jama’are Local Government Council has been drawn to the publication by a national daily”.
In the publication, one Williams Duru, a resident in Jama’are was said to have sued the Executive Chairman of Jama’are Local Government, Hon Sama’ila Yusuf Jarma in a Magistrate Court seating in Gamawa over demolition of the former’s house.
Jama’are Council said, “It would not to have responded to the malicious publication, but as a responsible people and government, it cannot afford to allow filthy rumour filter out to avoid the general public, especially those outside Jama’are to mistake it for something serious”.
Mr. Adamu Sale described the publication as fake, malicious, misleading and unprofessional reportage, saying that Jama’are Local Government is peaceful as it has always been, stressing that there isn’t any tension whatsoever as the paper’s report insinuated the chairman.
Sale said setting the record straight however, even though the case is before a court of law, the said house popularly known as ‘Gidan Kara’, was the epicenter of initiating young boys and girls into social vices “that no responsible society will condone such acts as alcoholism, sex hawking, drugs and substance abuse among other nefarious activities”
He explained that following series of complaints received from parents, guardians and the traditional institution over the aforementioned deviant activities taking place in, Duru’s ‘Gidan Kara’, Jama’are Local Government summoned a meeting of stakeholders namely the Police, DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA, NCS and the Emirate Council from where it was agreed that Mr. Williams Duru be called for a way out of the swamp.
“The meeting between the stakeholders and Mr. Duru, had unanimously resolved that the house be acquired by the LGA and the owner of the house be compensated. After bargaining, Mr. Duru agreed to sale the house at the sum Two Million Naira (2,000, 000.00), the Local Government paid to Williams Duru through his account and he acknowledged receipt of the payment”
These attributes, according to the statement, led to the demolition of the house, after obtaining a court order in the presence of the District Head, DPO, the DSS and all the relevant stakeholders, where Mr. Duru even requested that he be given the doors, windows and roofing sheets to which the LGA obliged
The Jama’are Local Government Council therefore expressed surprise that Mr. Duru opted to go to court after the amicable resolution of the issue which everyone saw as a win-win outcome, adding “The Local Government obtained a court order and people were happy with its action”.
Special Assistant to the council chief enumerated that the activities in Duru Williams’s, ‘Gidan Kara’ in Jama’are include operating commercial sex activities, sales of alcohol and hard drugs and other social vices.
These actions, the statement said, contradict the culture, religious and values of Jama’are as Local Government and emirate council, saying “The Local Government is ready to respect the Magistrate and evidences are available to present before the court”
It warned Duru from displaying his stupidity and cowardice on social media as the Local Government will not hesitate to take legal action against him, and advised the media that carried the report to ensure it verify claims and balance a story before publishing.
