A property developer, Malam Hassan Umar Isah has retracted his allegations against the Director General of Kaduna State Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), Dr. Bashir Garba Ibrahim, over the alleged seizure of his N150 million farmland.
Isah had accused Ibrahim of using his office to seize the land, covering 3.908 hectares in Unguwan Kudu, Unguwan Rimi of the state’s Kaduna North Local Government Area. He said he purchased the property for N150 million on 26 February 2025.
However, Isah has retracted his allegations, claiming they were false. He said: ‘After reflection, I realise that my allegations were baseless and unfounded.
‘I apologise to Dr. Bashir Garba Ibrahim, the Kaduna State Government, and the people of Kaduna State for the harm caused by my statements’.
Isah’s allegations had sparked concerns about land ownership and governance in the state. The Buda family, who originally owned the land, had earlier disowned Isah, stating he had no authority to represent them and that the agreement was terminated due to non-payment.
The family exonerated Ibrahim, saying he acted in line with government policy. ‘We want to state that Dr. Ibrahim is a man of integrity and is working tirelessly for the development of Kaduna State’, the Buda family said in a statement.
KADGIS had filed a complaint against Isah for criminal defamation, injurious falsehood, and inciting disturbance, citing sections 371, 372, 373, and 378 of the Kaduna State Penal Code Law 2017 as amended.
He added that both Ibrahim and Governor Uba Sani are working together for the development of Kaduna State and the All Progressives Congress. ‘Their commitment to the development of the state is unwavering, and we will continue to support their efforts’, lsah said.
The retraction ‘is a vindication of our efforts to ensure transparency and accountability in land matters’, Ibrahim said.
The state government welcomed Isah’s retraction and urged all parties to work together for the development of the state. ‘We will continue to work with all stakeholders to ensure that Kaduna State becomes a model of good governance and development’, the governor said.
