Taraba State Command of the Vigilante Group of Nigeria (VGN), has warned some persons who it described as criminals to desist from parading themselves as leaders of the group in Taraba State, Jalingo local government in particular.
The warning was issued by the state Public Relations Officer (VPRO), Suleiman Aliyu while speaking with newsmen.
He said the VGN had no faction, and the state Commandant, Alh. Bello Arabi remains the only leader of the group legally recognized by both the security agencies, government, and the general public, therefore, he warned members of the public to be on alert on the activities of some dupers who are using the uniform of VGN and parading themselves as leaders.
Aliyu who showed some court documents to journalists, said three different judgments including that of the National body of the VGN ruled against the late Alh. Ali Sokoto’s faction and favored the present leadership of CG. Dr. Usman Muhammed Jahun.
He explained that the court case was between VGN Taraba State Command as applicants and Iliyasu Mustapha, Alh. Sama’ila Bala, Bappa Jarume, Alh. Usman Yuguda Kunini, John J. Kass, Mohammed Abdullahi, Muhammadu Yusuf, and Jada Missah as Respondents.
“The first order issued at the Upper Area Court No II Jalingo under the seal of the court and the Honorable Judge, Hon. DN Buba in 2013 restraining the 3rd and 4th Defendants from parading themselves as members of the 25th Plaintiff is also hereby made.
“Second court order of enforcement issued by His worship Lumumba Barnabas in 2016 at the same Upper Area Court of Taraba State.
“Having gone through the application for enforcement of the judgment of this Court. There must be an end to litigation, the Applicants and the Police should help the court in enforcing the judgment. The Applicants should act as pointers to the various offices of the Respondents and should station the police at the head office of the Respondents to prevent entry should any of them be seen in VGN uniforms be arrested and brought to this Court and all activities be put to halt using reasonable force.” The court ordered.
“The 3rd court order was also issued by the same Judge and at the same court, Hon. Lumumba Barnabas said “As far as this court is concerned the party in favor of whom this court gave judgment is the only recognized Vigilante Group and its leadership is the only recognized leadership known to this court having been given judgment. That means, the leadership of Alh. Bello Arabi is the only recognized Vigilante Group in the Taraba state.
“All the reliefs sought are hereby granted. All the offices open by the respondents are hereby ordered closed, they must not be seen in the uniform of the applicants, they must not parade themselves again as members of the VGN, and they must not carry out any activity in the name of VGN. The judgment emphasized.
The VPRO, Suleiman Aliyu also alleged that these same persons as mentioned above are still parading themselves as leaders of the VGN in Jalingo LGA and are going around duping people that they are going to recruit members, therefore, he warned the general public not to allow themselves to be deceived by such criminals.
However, “the Court of Appeal Holden in kaduna with an APPEAL No: CA/K/253/2018 SUIT NO: KDH/KAD/286/2009 in its order by the presiding Judge, Hon. Justice A. Adefope- Okojie ordered that 1. the appeal succeeds 2. The judgment of the Lower Court is set aside.
“The court order recognized Dr. Usman Jahun and twelve others who are the appellants as the only CG, VGN against the respondent Alh. Ali Sokoto.”
Meanwhile, the State Commandant of VGN, Alh. Bello Arabi has congratulated the Christian community on the occasion of Christmas and wished them a successful celebration, as well Tarabans and Nigerians, a prosperous New year.
Arabi further reiterated VGN’s commitment towards assisting the police and other security agencies in the fight against kidnapping, armed robbery, among others.
Sani Sulaiman/ Jalingo
