Zazzau Emirate faults JNI over N21m railway compensation

The Zazzau Emirate Council has denied siphoning N21 million meant for Jama’atu Nasrul Islam (JNI) as indemnity/ compensation for the land for the proposed railway modernisation project in Zaria, Kaduna State.

The emirate said it had kept the money pending the outcome of litigation over the property.

In a statement signed and issued by the Wazirin Zazzau, Mohammed-Inuwa Àminu, yesterday in Zaria, the emirate said four groups were contesting the ownership of the compensation on the affected land at Jama’atu College, Kofar Kona, Zaria.

Aminu said the emirate had to intervene by collecting the cheque for safekeeping pending the determination of the case by the court, adding that the emirate kept the cheque in its custody to forestall breach of law and order between contending parties in the suit.

Recall that on April 26, the Chairman of JNI, Zazzau Emirate Province branch, Zaharadeen Maccido Ibrahim, alleged that the Emir of Zazzau, Malam Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, had siphoned the N21m.

In a letter published on social media titled: “Demand for cheque issued in favour of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, Lardin Zazzau by the Federal Ministry of Transportation”, JNI demanded the return of the cheques issued by the federal government through the Ministry of Transportation.

Ibrahim said the cheques were issued as indemnity/ compensation for the right of way for the railway modernisation project on the Kaduna to Zaria corridor of the Ibadan to Kano railway project.

When contacted by telephone, the JNI chairman said he was engaged in something and promised to call back at a later time, noting however that he could not comment on the case which was in court.