By Nasir Malali
Families of police officers occupying government quarters in Sokoto have again appealed to the Federal Government and the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Rilwan Tunde Disu, to intervene over threats to demolish their homes.
The appeal followed the adjournment of a case involving ten police officers and a construction company, All Pro Developers Limited, before the Sokoto State Tribunal. The case has been adjourned to 6th October 2026.
The suit, filed by the company contracted by the Sokoto State Government, is seeking an order directing the occupants to vacate the premises over alleged illegal occupation.
Speaking to newsmen after the adjournment, counsel to the defendants, Barrister Nasiru Shehu Naige, said the case was adjourned because neither the plaintiff nor its counsel was present in court. He added that the plaintiff had notified the Tribunal of its inability to attend the hearing.
The defence counsel had earlier urged the Tribunal to dismiss the case, arguing that the plaintiff failed to present its arguments after receiving the defendants’ counter-affidavit and preliminary objections at the first sitting.
The defendants maintained that the houses were built by the Federal Government, but the Sokoto State Government engaged the construction company to demolish them and develop a new housing estate along Kontagora Road in Sokoto metropolis. The plaintiff, however, claimed that the defendants were occupying the premises illegally because they lacked allocation letters, tenancy agreements or other legal documents establishing their right to occupy the houses.
Our correspondent reports that the families of the affected police officers staged another protest, appealing to the Inspector-General of Police and the Federal Government to intervene and prevent the demolition of the houses.
