6th July, 2017
Gov. Umaru Al-Makura of Nasarawa State has ordered the immediate prosecution of 85 land speculators identified around the greater Karu urban area by a state task-force.
Al-Makura gave the order on Thursday in Lafia while receiving the report of the task-force on the verification of land titles and demolition of illegal structures in the greater Karu area.
He said that available information at government disposal indicated that the land syndicate was well organised and involved security agents and judicial officers.
“This cabal have become so powerful that overnight they can disposes individuals of their land and when they affected individuals go to court, they would not get any relief.
“Some of these cases are already in the pipeline, the cabal will sit with judges and settle them even before the case starts.
“It is so unfortunate and irresponsible for anybody within the judicial system to connive with miscreants and criminals to dispossess government of land not to talk of land of individuals who have spent their life savings to acquire a small piece of land,” Al-Makura said.
He added that the situation has became so terrible that individuals now go to beg the syndicate to spare them
Al-Makura said government would take p the issue of judges connivance with the state Chief Judge.
The governor added that government would also petition the National Judicial Council on judges involved, for disciplinary action.
He said government would no longer watch the impunity with which land administration was allowed to cause the state fortune and distort master plan.
The governor assured that the report of the task-force would be fully implemented, adding that the government would demolish all structures not in line with the master plan.
He also said all government lands stolen by speculators would be reclaimed, while encroachment into government land would be properly addressed.
Al-Makura also said that administration would soon start the re-certification of all land titles in the state with the aim of identifying fake ones.
Earlier, Chairman of the task-force, Mr Yusuf Usman said while presenting the report that they were able to identify 85 land speculators and their details.
He noted that the activities of land speculator in the Greater Karu urban area of the state was worrisome and had the tendency of disrupting the physical planning and urban renewal programme of government.
Usman said part of the task-force recommendation was for government to constitute a special standing task-force comprising technical ministries, agencies and departments as well as security outfits to tackle the menace.
He said the task-force also recommended that the state government should come up with legislation against land grabbing to ensure effective prosecution of violators.