The Initiative Against Human Rights Abuse and Torture (INAHURAT) has urged the Nigerian Police Force to withdraw from the ongoing investigation into the Abuja land dispute involving 79-year-old Hajia Colleen Yesufu. Maxwell Opara, Director of Legal for INAHURAT, made this call during a press briefing in Abuja on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for a fair and diligent prosecution on behalf of Mama Yesufu.
According to Opara, Mama Yesufu became the rightful owner of a property at Plot 4022, Guzape District, Cadastral Zone AO9, Abuja, in December 2010, after purchasing it from the original allottee and completing the necessary transfer documents.
However, in August 2023, Mama Yesufu was alerted by an anonymous caller that her property had been unlawfully taken over by criminals who were offering it as an investment opportunity to unsuspecting Nigerians.
Following the discovery, Mama Yesufu’s legal team petitioned various agencies of the Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA), including the Solicitor General, Lands, AGIS, and Development Control, leading to a ‘STOP WORK’ order on August 30, 2023. Despite this, the trespassers refused to cooperate with the authorities. Further investigations revealed that the suspect had fraudulently registered a fake power of attorney and forged a right of occupancy to obtain building approvals.
As a result, the building permit was revoked, and the structure was sealed for demolition in October 2023. Opara noted that while petitions had been submitted to both the Nigerian Police and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for a thorough investigation, the police had failed to act, whereas the EFCC conducted a comprehensive investigation.
Opara praised the EFCC for its professional handling of the case, which included uncovering additional fraudulent activities related to forged documents of the Yesufu family lands in Katampe. On December 20, 2023, the EFCC obtained an interim forfeiture order from the Federal High Court in Abuja to recover the stolen properties.
In light of these developments, Opara called for the police to be removed from the case, stating that the complainants no longer trusted the police’s involvement. He also urged the EFCC Chairman, Mr. Ola Olukoyede, to press charges against the suspects and their accomplices without delay.
