By: Danjuma Attah, Gombe
The Gombe State branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has condemned in strong terms, the destruction of some landed properties by the State Taskforce on Gala Houses and Joints.
The State Governor, Alhaji Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, had issued an executive order, Number 006 of 2023, mandating the closure of all Gala Houses and Joints in Gombe State.
However, the taskforce mandated to carryout the order, under the chairmanship of Grp Captain BP Bilal (rtd), had recently incurred the wrath of some concerned groups who condemned the recent activities of the taskforce where a couple of genuine business were demolished and miscreants seen looting properties worth millions of Naira unhindered on 14th February, 2024.
The Gombe NBA has therefore accused the taskforce of insensitivity and carelessness displayed by the wanton destruction of certain hotels under the guise of demolition of Gala Houses.
In a statement issued Sunday afternoon to our correspondent by the Gombe State NBA Chairman, Benjamin Sati esq, the lawyers called on the Gombe State Government to inaugurate a committee to review the entire situation and adequately compensate the owners of the illegally demolished structures.
It explained that, what the taskforce was meant to address were the vices, not the hard-earned wealth of the owners.
It stated that, “It is common knowledge that demolition does not come without notice after a confirmation of the law enabling the relevant authority so to do.
“It is with all sense of responsibility that I state without equivocation that, what was witnessed on 14/2/2024 was to say the least carelessness of the highest order.
“Pulling down structures erected with hard-earned moneys and supervising lawless attitude of mob in stealing and or looting what was legitimately acquired and installed and or stored in the structures demolished without rebuke and or arrest of the perpetrators thereby making it glaring the insensitivity of the Task Force promoting criminality in the circumstances”, the statement stressed.
Benjamin Sati noted that Nigeria is not in the state of anarchy or mercantilist era, as such, Nigerians are protected by the rule of law not rule of force.
He stated categorically that, “WE CONDEMN IN STRONG TERMS the pattern adopted by the task force and call on the Government to inaugurate a committee to review the entire situation and adequately compensate the owners of the illegally demolished structures as what was sort to be addressed were the vices not the hard-earned wealth of the owners”.
He also said, “this is however not unmindful of and applauding the good intentions of the Government in restoring the good morals of our dear city and state of Gombe.
“We hope the rule of law as opposed to the rule of force shall prevail in the interest of public peace, public order and public security”, Sati emphasized.
However, the taskforce had earlier stated that it issued several notices that were jettisoned by Evergreen Hotel, Dureja Hotel and Sharp Corner Hotel which resulted in their being demolished while partial demolition was carried out in Fina Lodge located at Anguwan Waja and Runko Hotel at Tunfure on 14th February, 2024.
