Demolition: KNUPDA Investigates Staff Over Bribery Allegation

By Abdullahi Yusuf

The Managing Director of Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), Arc Ibrahim Yakubu Adamu, says the agency is investigating bribery allegation levelled against some of its staff by a businessman in the state.

The businessman, Ibrahim Mukhtar Mohammed, had accused some officials of KNUPDA of taking money from him to design the construction, drawing and supervising of the work of his building that was later demolished by the agency.

The managing director warned that any of the agency’s staff found wanting in the matter would be sanctioned according to the laid down civil service rules and regulations.

“The staff of this agency are civil servants operating in accordance with the civil service rules and regulations and any of them found contravening such rules and regulations will be punished accordingly,” he said.

The businessman while addressing newsmen earlier, threatened to take legal action against the agency over the demolition of his multi-million Naira shop located on Zoo Road, Kano.

Mohammed alleged that the shop was demolished without prior notice by the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) despite following the due processes.

“This was once a beautiful building we constructed, but you can see what happened as a result of the demolition exercise that was carried out by KNUPDA.

“We were not given any notice prior to this demolition. We just woke up one morning and found it in rubbles.

“The loss incurred is about N20 million. So, I have informed my lawyers. I have shown them what we have, what we did. So, the lawyers are studying it, and by God’s grace, we will take legal action against the demolition,” he added.

But the KNUPDA Managing Director said the structure in question was demolished because it was illegally erected.

Adamu also explained that due process was followed in demolishing the building as the businessman was given notice thrice but he did not respond.