Late Davou’s Family Accuses Plateau Govt Of Confiscating Their Land And Handing It Over To Gindiri Family

Yakubu Busari

….Drags Musa Paul Gindiri Company to court over father’s inheritance, alleges criminal trespass, mischief

…Ask Plateau Govt to embark on a thorough investigation into the ownership and inheritance of customary owners of the Land in dispute

Mr Pam Chu of Nyango Gyel in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State has, through their Lawyer, filed a case at the State High Court, Plateau State, where they are challenging Musa Paul Gindiri, Dauda Paul Gindiri and Garta-Gere Stone Crushing Company Limited.

Pam Chu condemned the illegal arrest of some youths by Governor Caleb Manasseh Mutfwang’s entourage during his surprise visit to their family’s ancestral site.

The applicants in suit number PLD/J556/25, filed through counsel, A. Oloche Esq, the duo’s petition is against Musa Paul Gindiri, Dauda Paul Gindiri, and Garta Gere Stone Crushing Company Limited, stating that the land situated at Nyango Gyel is their late father’s property, for which no compensation has been paid to any member of the family.

Pam Chu challenged the governor and agencies as the chief security officer to safeguard the lives and properties of the citizens, rather than being involved in land matters, which are already before a competent court of jurisdiction.

The late Mr Gyang Davou son Mr. Pam Chu, said he is suing in his personal capacity and on behalf of the surviving grandchildren of the late father, under statutory law in 1974.

The claimant and the entire grandchildren of the late Gyang Davou, who died intestate, are the legitimate and bona fide customary owners by inheritance of the property in dispute measuring 379384.514SQM (about 39 hectares)  lying and situate at kilometers 8, Yakubu Gowon way, Bukuru Road, Jos South LGA, Plateau State, sprawling through Mungyel in Dadin Kowa (Barkin AKawu)* Area through to WAEC office, then opposite Air Force Girls Secondary school, as well as opposite Jenny filling station and Kalwa house.

The interference of the family of Paul Gindiri on the property lying at Kilometers belonging to the entire members of the family of the late Gyang Davou without any evidence to proof of buying the land is unlawful and illegal to their inheritance.

According to him, before the plateau State government should confiscate their inheritance and conceal it and give it to Paul Gindiri’s family, we are asking for any documents or certificates of approval issued in the name of Paul Gindiri by any government or their agencies, ministries, over the property in dispute lying and situated at kilometers 8.

Their claim invokes Sections 38 and 42 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999, as amended), guaranteeing freedom of protection from discrimination, and Articles 2 and 3 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights (Cap A9, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004).

One community head of Nyango Gyel, Alh.Salisu Abubakar, in an exclusive interview, appealed to Governor Mutfwang to intervene and release the youth leader and two of the youths arrested during his visit.

He said, they are not claiming the landed property, but the community acquired the land for use as a burial ground for years from the late Gyang Davou, who sold it to them to be used as a cemetery.

Abubakar stated parts of the land were sold out to individuals who have started developing it, but he was surprised on a faithful day, government agencies descended and embarked on an arrest without following the channel of communication with the community head.

According to him, we are a peaceful community, and we are calling on the government to dialogue with the parties involved in finding a lasting solution because those who acquired this land had commenced building at the site.

He noted that the administration of Governor Caleb Manasseh is ready to unite the people of the state, but when the children of Baba Paul Gindiri claim ownership of the land in dispute, the enforcing security might not resolve the dispute.

We urge the government to release our youth in their custody and also resolve it amicably.

One of the land owners, Christopher D. Lang made a passionate call on the government to intervene and provide relief to them because the self-acclaimed family of Paul Gindiri doesn’t have any proof of payment to us as the original land owners.

Christopher reiterated that the true owners of the property are the family of Gyang Davou Ngyango Gyel, and we have never had a land dispute with any family.