The Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamalli, has given reasons behind the alleged withholding of N20 million cheque belonging to the Zazzau chapter of the Jama’atu Nasril Islam, JNI.
Recall that the JNI Zazzau Chapter had dragged the emirate before the Kaduna State High Court for allegedly hijacking its N20 million cheque issued to it by the Federal Ministry of Transport as compensation for its land.
The ministry had taken over their land at Jama’atu College of Arabic (Boys) for the extension of the Kaduna-Zaria railway as part of the Ibadan-Kano railway project.
Reacting to the story, the emirate, in a statement on Wednesday by Wazirin Zazzau, Muhammadu Inuwa-Aminu, said the cheque was withheld in order to internal rift among the warring groups within the JNI.
According to the statement, there are four groups contesting the ownership of the compensation on the affected buildings.
The statement read: “This is to inform the General public that Zazzau Emirate is not unaware of the general concern and worry of the good people of Zazzau Emirate, Friends and Associates over the above posting through the Social Media.
“We are using the same Media to assure all that the Emirate will come up with all facts and figures on the matter at a later time when such information will not be subji-dice.
“However, the public may wish to know that there were four (4) groups contesting the ownership of the compensation on the affected buildings at Jama’atu College Kofar Kona, Zaria and in order to forestall any breach of Law and Order, the Emirate had to intervene by collecting the Cheque and keeping it in its custody until after the Court would have made an appropriate ruling on the matter.”
Meanwhile, the chairman and Secretary of the JNI Zazzau chapter, Zaharadeen Maccido and Usman Maccido respectively, have distanced themselves from the suit filed on April 25 before the state High Court.
In a disclaimer signed on Wednesday, the Secretary of the JNI Zazzau Chapter denied knowledge of the suit filed against the emir.
He said: “In my capacity as the Executive Secretary of the institution (Jama’atu Nasril Islam Lardin Zazzau), I am stating in an unequivocal term that I have no official or personal knowledge of the purported suit in my name as the 3rd Plaintiff and I have never in my official or personal capacity authorized anyone to prepare/file any suit in my name and on behalf of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Lardin Zazzau.
“In order to set the record straight, I can recall that on the last meeting we had with HRH. Amb. Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli the issue of cheques was brought up and it was resolved that the said cheques be given to Sambo Shehu Idris (Sarkin Kudun Zazzau) until all issues are resolved.
“Furthermore, my name (Mallam Usman Maccido) that appears in the purported suit as the 3rd Plaintiff is not true as I am unaware of the suit personally and officially. In other words, the entire suit is unknown to me and my office.
“Finally, as the Executive Secretary of the institution (Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Lardin Zazzau), I wish to inform the parties concerned and the general public that the institution (Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Lardin Zazzau) has no hands in the purported suit against the Defendants as this is against the standing rules on how the institution operates and handle it affairs.”
