The Nigerian Bar Association Gombe Branch on Sunday expressed dismay over alleged insensitivity of Task Force on Gala Houses and Joints in the demolition of business premises.
Recall that since February 14 the Task Force has supervised demolitions covering Runko, Fina Lodge and others for alleged immoral activities, where hoodlums carted away valuables, including farm products.
According to a press statement signed by the Chairman, Benjamin Sati, he described the activities of the Task Force as insensitive and careless.
Sati decried the Task Force’s activities in a statement titled ‘Demolition spree of 14th February, 2024 by the Task Force on Gala Houses and Joints in Gombe: The position of the NBA’, which was obtained by our correspondent.
“The Nigerian Bar Association Gombe Branch observed with dismay the insensitivity displayed by Gombe State Government through its Task Force on Gala Houses and Joints in brazen and wanton destruction of certain hotels under the guise of demolition of Gala Houses.
“It’s common knowledge that demolition does not come without notice after a confirmation of the law enabling the relevant authority so to do.
“It is with all sense of responsibility that I state without equivocation that, what was witnessed on 14th February, 2024 was to say the least carelessness of the highest order. Pulling down structures erected with hard-earned moneys and supervising lawless attitude of mob in stealing and or looting what was legitimately acquired and installed and or stored in the structures demolished without rebuke and or arrest of the perpetrators thereby making it glaring the insensitivity of the Task Force promoting criminality in the circumstances,” the statement partly read.
While decrying the effect of demolishing the lodges, guest houses to owners especially the workforce, Sati warned that the country is not in a lawless entity but one guided by rule of law, urging the state government to inaugurate an inquiry to review the Task Force’s activities.
Sati said, “Nigeria is not in the state of anarchy or mercantilist era, we are protected by the rule of law not rule of force. we condemn in strong terms the pattern adopted by the task force and call on the government to inaugurate a committee to review the entire situation and adequately compensate the owners of the illegally demolished structures as what was sort to be addressed were the vices not the hard-earned wealth of the owners.”
He lauded the government for working assidiously to put the morality to checks, stressing that it should be opposed to rule of law, “This is however not unmindful of and applauding the good intentions of the Government in restoring the good morals of our dear city and state of Gombe.
“We hope the rule of law as opposed to the rule of force shall prevail in the interest of public peace, public order and public security,” Sati added.
Meanwhile, Task Force Chairman, Captain Bitrus Bilal (retd.), in an earlier statement observed that there are still the reports of the activities of some unlawful establishments of gala houses, and unlicenced night clubs within Gombe State where illegal and immoral activities take place and are used as sanctuaries for criminal elements.
He added, “It is in view of the several notices issued to the hoteliers and operators of these houses to stop from such activities that the Task Force carried out the demolitions in Evergreen Hotel, Dureja Hotel and Sharp Corner Hotel, while partial demolition was carried out on Fina Lodge located at Anguwan Waja and Runko Hotel at Tunfure on 14th February 2024.
“The Task Force has observed that some miscreants have embarked on demolitions and lootings on some houses located at different areas of Gombe metropolis. The general public should note that the Task Force did not authorise such act by these miscreants. It therefore issued warning to all persons involved in such acts to desist from this unlawful behaviours or face the wrath of the law.”
