By Uzair Adam
A Kano State High Court has dismissed allegations leveled by one Surajo Isa Yarima, who accused the court of illegally auctioning his property and rendering his family homeless.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the court’s Head of Public Relations, Baba Jibo Ibrahim, described the claims as baseless and an attempt to tarnish the court’s reputation.
The Daily Reality gathered that the controversy began after a Small Claims Magistrate Court, in December 2023, ruled against Yarima, ordering him to pay N355,000 to a plaintiff.
Following his failure to comply, the judgment creditor sought to recover the debt by attaching Yarima’s movable properties, which proved insufficient.
Subsequently, the creditor applied for the attachment and auction of Yarima’s immovable property, a process the High Court approved after adhering to due process.
“All actions taken by the court in this matter were in accordance with the law and principles of justice,” Baba Jibo said.
He added that Yarima was served hearing notices and given ample opportunity to challenge the application but failed to do so.
Claims that the auction left Yarima’s family homeless were also refuted.
“Investigations revealed that the property was rented to a tenant at the time of the sale, and his family was never evicted. The only item found in the house after the auction was a single mattress,” the statement clarified.
The court also addressed a petition by Yarima’s wife, who claimed ownership of the property. Her case was dismissed after it was determined that the sale agreements she presented did not pertain to the auctioned property.
The Chief Judge of Kano State launched an internal investigation, extending it to the property’s location and its neighborhood.
“Our findings unequivocally disproved the allegations. Yarima and his family resided in a neighboring house, and after the auction, he sold that house and renovated the auctioned property to mislead the public,” Baba Jibo stated.
The court warned that making false claims against public institutions is punishable under Section 140 of the Penal Code.
“It is disheartening that the judiciary, in the lawful execution of its duties, is subjected to such baseless attacks. Legal action will be taken where necessary,” Baba Jibo added.
He also urged media outlets to verify information before publication to prevent misinformation and protect the reputation of public institutions.
The High Court reiterated its commitment to justice and transparency in its proceedings.