By Tina Amanda
The Chief Executive Officer of Homadil Realty, a real estate firm in Abuja, Hajiya Bilikisu Ishaku, has alleged that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) is unjustly detaining her husband, Mr. Isaac Ishaku Yusuf, along with some staff members of the organization.
The detentions are reportedly connected to a landed property case currently awaiting judgment in court.
In an audio speech released to journalists on Saturday, July 20, 2024, Mrs. Ishaku made a serious allegation. She stated, “I received numerous messages while I was abroad from family and friends about a libelous story published across various media platforms.
“The responses suggest that the story was sponsored and clearly intended to tarnish my good image, that of my company’s homadil reality.
“I bought the land and have all the necessary documents, I will forward them to you for further investigation.
“As a businesswoman with integrity, I have never defrauded anyone in Nigeria or abroad.
“I am a law-abiding citizen. I have never heard of the Yesefu family, I have never had an encounter with them. The family never contacted me or surfaced. The first time I heard of them was on 10 July 2024, through a media publication.
“The only person who contacted me was Michael Bara from development control saying his Boss Aisha from FCDA wants to know who I bought the land from. I told them and presented all the necessary documents for verification.
“It is important to let you know that no court order was violated by me or the Police in this matter. I was the one who took the matter to court and we are still waiting for the judgment yet the story has been distorted to suit their purposes”
She further alleged that the faceless contenders of the landed property bought by her at 4022A09 Guzape Abuja are using the media and EFCC to harass, intimidate, and expose her financial status to the public.
She disclosed that the faceless contenders even went ahead and created a fake Instagram account in her company name.
“I don’t know what they are up to. They have shown disregard for justice and the judicial process of our beloved country Nigeria.
“On 12 July at about 10:am EFCC officials arrived at our residence without prior notice, and forcefully arrested my husband and thirty-five others without presenting a warrant or providing an explanation.
“They used force and pointed guns at them, why did EFCC arrest my husband and workers immediately after the libelous publication against me? This sudden interference left our house wide open posing significant risk to us and our property.
“The conduct of EFCC officials is alarming and distressing. The manner in which the operation was conducted has caused destruction to our family, leaving us feeling vulnerable and violated
“To date, no formal charges have been brought against my husband or any of the workers arrested. Despite meeting all the high bail conditions set by the EFCC, they refused to release my husband and some workers.
“I am now seeking a proper and lawful means to request an investigation into this matter,” she said.
In the meantime, the Spokesperson of EFCC, Dele Oyewale in a telephone chat with one of the Journalists who contacted him said the EFCC does not go for arrest without a warrant and does not keep suspects beyond the provisions of the constitution.
Oyewale also explained that EFCC cannot sponsor someone to publish account details of suspects and the agency operates within the confines of the rule of law.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police has released a statement on the allegation against the Police involvement on the matter.
The statement signed by the Force Spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, disassociates itself from the allegations, stating that the Police do not have business with civil matters.
The statement reads; “The Nigeria Police Force has noted with amusement the recent allegations made against the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, in connection with a land dispute involving one Ms. Bilikisu Ishaqu Aliyu and the Yesufu family. We find it necessary to address these unfounded claims and provide clarity on the matter, more so that the claims painted the police as an irresponsible, meddlesome, and lawless agency.
“It will be recalled that the AIT in their publication of 10 July 2024, titled ‘Yesufu Family Seeks Justice As Police Authorities Fail to Investigate Bilikisu Ishaqu’, distorted the facts in the case in question and thus misled the public.
“First and foremost, it is important to emphasize that the IGP shouldn’t be dragged into civil matters such as this land dispute. The NPF’s role is primarily to maintain law and order and ensure public safety. The police only intervene in disputes when there are clear criminal elements involved.
“Similarly, the assertion that the police are at odds with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is unfounded, laughable, and without merit. The NPF maintains a cooperative and professional relationship with the EFCC, and there are no conflicts between the two agencies on this extant case or any other matter whatsoever. Any suggestion to the contrary is a blatant attempt to mislead the public and create unnecessary tension between both agencies.
“It is also vital to make it clear that if the parties involved in the dispute in question feel aggrieved and require the intervention of the IGP, there are proper channels to follow. Instead of resorting to media blackmail and attempting to malign the IGP’s reputation or ridiculing the Police institution, the concerned parties should make an official contact through the appropriate channels. The NPF is always open to addressing legitimate concerns and providing assistance where necessary, provided the correct procedures are followed.
“The Nigeria Police, therefore, urges the public to disregard these unfounded claims in the media and continue to seek intervention from the police on issues capable of triggering crisis and violence, as the Force is committed to promoting peace, unity, and progress in our dear country”.
