NGO sues Gombe traditional leader, others over alleged deprivation of inheritance

The district head of Kalmai in the Billiri Local Government Area of Gombe State and three other people have been sued by a non-governmental organization (NGO) called the Global Pan Africannism Network (GPAN) for allegedly depriving some women of the farms their late father left for them.

The traditional chief along with three other people, namely Julius Lamido, Jude Maigari, and Dolton Amin Toddo were charged with plotting to deny the women their farms based on their gender.

According to Barrister Ibrahim Ambore Nuhu, counsel to the north-east regional office of GPAN, who appeared for the plaintiffs during the court’s first sitting for mentioning of the case on Thursday, the plaintiffs’ suit seeks the court’s order confirming that they are the owners of the farmlands located at Ladongor, Lakwantangalan, and Lakaikai as well as a house built on the land at Kalmai, Billiri, Gombe State.

Nuhu said the plaintiffs are also asking the court to annul any sales of their inherited lands in Ladongor, Kalmai Billiri Gombe State, made by the fourth defendant without the plaintiffs’ permission to the first, second, and third defendants.

In his words, “By virtue of the validity test of customary law and section 42 of the 1999 constitution, the plaintiffs are entitled to inherit their late father’s (Amin Toddo) properties.

“We need an order of this honourable court that the farmland located and situated at Ladongor, Lakwantangalan, Lakaikai and the house erected on the land and any other properties left by their late father Amin Toddo at Kalmai, Billiri, Gombe State to be distributed from their mother side (Kebba) to the heirs of late Amin Toddo i.e. the plaintiffs and the 4th defendant.

“An order of this honourable court restraining the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, their servants, or privies from further interfering or trespassing on the farmland located at Ladongor, Kalmai Billiri Gombe State.”

The defendants’ attorney, Barrister Ishaku David, however, informed the court that his clients needed some time to respond to the summons that had been issued on them and asked the judge for a few days to do so.

The application of the defense attorney was approved by the presiding judge, Daurabo Suleiman Sikkam, who also postponed the hearing until April 27, 2023.