THE crisis over the selection of village headship in one of the communities in Jos north council, which erupted in 2011, has been laid to rest by a court ruling, which affirmed the selection process.

Chief Aminu Maisamari was declared winner in the exercise but one of the parties who contested the chieftaincy stool, Prince Solomon Magaji, discontented with the outcome of the selection, headed to the state high court for redress.

However, during hearings into the suit, the first defendant, Aminu Maisamari, through his counsel, Niril Darun and the counsel to Ujah of Anaguta, Mr. Nangwol Chansat, a deputy director, public prosecution in the state ministry of justice, raised preliminary objections, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the matter.

The counsel contended that the suit filed 177 days from the day of selection, was contrary to Section 2 (a) of the public officers Act and protection law, adding that the plaintiff’s counsel did not give the third defendant (Jos North Local Government) a pre – action notice of 30 days in line with section 104 (2) of Local Government Law 2007.

They added that the Ujah of Anaguta is not a legal personality that can be sued or the title name of Ujah of Ujah of Anaguta.

But counsel to the plaintiff, Mr. Binshen Jentul, who was present in court, failed to join issues on the preliminary objections neither did he file any reply to the arguments raised by the defendants’ lawyers.

Ruling on the matter, Justice Pius Damulak, held that the action of the plaintiff did not comply with Section 2(a) of the public officers’ protection law which requires that such matters must be filed within three months from the day of selection.

The matter was accordingly struck for lack of jurisdiction and awarded N25, 000 cost against the plaintiff to each set of the defendants.

Similarly, the state Chief Judge, Justice Damulak, has constituted two special courts with judges to handle revenue and family matters.

The two judges appointed for the new courts are Justice Philomena Lot and Justice Christine Dapbup. In a statement, the Chief Registrar, Mr. Silas Bafrul, said while Justice Lot is to preside over the Special Court for Revenue Generation, Justice Dapbup would take charge of family affairs.

Meanwhile, Jos Metropolitan Development Board (JMDB) has said that it will continue to demolish illegal structures within Jos/Bukuru metropolis until people learn to obey laid down rules on structural development.

Acting General Manager of the Board, Mr. Matthias Hatah, disclosed this at the weekend while on a demolition exercise at Anglo – Din Bukuru, Zarmaganda, Sabon Bariki, Tudun Wada, Hill Station Junction, Rukuba Road as well as Ahmadu Bello Way.

Hatah noted that the board has put measures in place to demolish all illegal structures within Jos and Bukuru even as he advised developers to always get board’s permission before embarking on construction work.

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Plateau Chief Justice Strikes Out Chieftaincy Suit, Creates Special Courts