Emir dragged to court for land grabbing

A criminal summons has been filed against HRH Alhaji Sani Muhammadu Bako III, the Emir of New Karshi in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State in the Chief Magistrate Court of Nasarawa State Holden at Masaka

The criminal summons was issued pursuant to a Direct Criminal Complaint (CMCM/CR/051/2022) filed by Pedmax Excellence Academy Limited.

The document, which was sighted by our correspondent, shows that the case is slated for Thursday, 5th May 2022 for the arraignment of the Emir and four others, including one Danladi Karshi (the 2nd Defendant) who is the Village Head of Bako Community near Orozo.

The Defendants were accused of criminally conspiring to wrongfully restrain the staff and pupils of Pedmax Excellence Academy in Cajaah Estate, New Karshi.

The staff and pupils were denied access to their school since February 2022 as the Emir (an associate Professor and University Don) is interested in the land where the school is situated.

Further findings by our correspondent reveal that the Emir had boasted over his relationship with the Nasarawa State Governor (Engr. A. A. Sule) and the State’s Commissioner for Lands (his subject).

According to him, ‘nobody can stand in his way respecting any land he shows interest in within his domain’.

A local resident, who spoke to News band on condition of anonymity, informed that the first class Emir is very notorious for land grabbing in the area.

“He intimidates his victims by dropping the names of the state governor Nasarawa State whom he claims can revoke any landed documents within the Nasarawa State as long as he is involved,” he said.

Another resident narrated how he bragged: “I am a professor, a lecturer with the state university in Keffi and as the Emir of New Karshi, my stand on any landed issues is final.

“The governor is in full support of all my agenda; the Emir in Lafia can’t take any vital decision without consulting with me as a professor.

“I have my foot soldiers headed by Danladi Karshi (the Mai Angwan of Karshi) who knows what to do at any time.

“This so called Professor often throws rule of law to the wind. He recruited thugs and armed them to the tooth to grab lands from genuine land owner within his domain.

“His style is to intimidate unsuspecting residents with what looks like true court documents or order and they, out of fear of his armed thugs and as the Emir, vacate the properties for him.

“The present case that landed him in court was his usual way to grab another land, this time, a property belonging to legal lord and he is dragged to court.”

Investigation revealed that Alhaji Muhammadu Bako’s late father was the immediate past emir before him and that even his younger brothers are bitter with him for grabbing all the land their late dad left for them.

“Our surprise is as professor he claimed he is, shouldn’t he have elementary knowledge of law and its applications on landed properties related activities?” the source wondered.

Another indigene of New Karshi said ‘the attitude of the Emir toward people’s land is negatively affecting the sacredness of emirship and royalty’.

From his utterances and disposition on the few accounts our field agent related with him, he appeared to be highly uninformed and speaks like motor park touts.

He had said: “I have traveled the globe and I am here to farm… every fertile land here in my domain is mine… I do what I want with any landed property.

“The Governor of the state (Nasarawa) and I have resolved that in our December 2021 meeting in Lafia.”

Efforts to get the view of Palace officials, the Magaji of Lokotiye (Prince Paul Ibrahim) who is in the kitchen cabinet of the Emir of New Karshi on the unfolding embarrassing situation proved abortive as he declined comment.