Lawmaker In Court Over N9M Abuja Land Deal
An Abuja Chief Magistrate Court has started hearing in a N9Million Abuja land deal filed against a member of the National Assembly ( NASS )- Hon. Aliyu A. A. Shehu.
The House of Representatives member representing Bodinga/ Dange-Shuni/ Tureta federal Constituency, Sokoto State was dragged before the Court over his alleged failure to refund N1million being balance of the N9M land deal.
The claimant Mallam Mustapha Ahmed told the Court during his evidence in chief last Wednesday that he had entered into an agreement to buy a piece of land at plot 418, Kaura District, Cadastral Zone for N9million from the defendant Hon. Aliyu A. A. Shehu.
Having paid the N9 million it was discovered that the lawmaker was not the owner of the property that he ( Shehu ) purportedly sold.
Mallam Mustapha said that when he demanded for the deed of assignment none was produced. He added that serious investigation led to the original allottee of the land, who said that he did not authorize anyone to sell the land.
It was then discovered that the lawmaker was not the owner of the land.
A total of N8 million was refunded to Mallam Mustapha by the lawmaker remaining the balance of N1M. The claimant stated that he has demanded for the N1 million outstanding balance on several occassions but the lawmaker refused to pay the balance hence the maker was taken to Court.
The plaintiff told the court that “since Shehu refused to return the money I reported him to Adamu Aileru former FCT minister. Aileru asked me to withdraw the claim before EFCC.
He returned N5 m out of the N9M. I went back to Buba Galadima who spoke with Aileru and Shehu now added N2M.
Aileru, Galadima and defendant are friends. Aileru now said that he is tried with the matter, adding that plaintiff should go and take any action he wants to take. Ali Wamakko also intervened and defendant added another N1M.
I paid the N9M into defendant’s Zenith bank’, the Court was told.
Lawyer to the lawmaker Barrister Way Momoh, during cross examination raised objection on the bank teller used by the plaintiff to pay the N9M into the lawmaker’s account.
Court adjourned till 27, February for its ruling on the objection.
