The Zaria Local Government Council in Kaduna state has formally denied allegations circulating on social media regarding the alleged gifting of land and shops in the Kofar Doka area to the wife of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajuddeen.
In a press statement issued on Tuesday July 8, 2025 by Ishaq Galadima, Special Adviser and Chief Press Secretary to the Executive Chairman of Zaria LGA, the council described the claims as false and politically motivated.
A recent Facebook post had alleged that shops and land in Kofar Doka were forcefully taken from residents and handed over to the Speaker’s wife to build a plaza.
The post, written in Hausa by a user identified as “Dan Hajia mai naira,” accused local officials of depriving the public of their property.
The council clarified that the land in question is part of a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) agreement between Zaria Local Government and Rich-view Global Nigeria Limited, signed in August 2024.
According to the statement, the agreement predates the current chairman’s assumption of office in November 2024 and did not involve the gifting or free allocation of land to any individual.
The statement also addressed another social media post alleging misconduct involving a vocational training centre in Amaru and implicating the Executive Chairman and the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Speaker, Ilyasu Balarabe.
The council described these claims as inciting and unfounded.
Following the circulation of the posts, a formal complaint was filed with the police by a supporter of the Chairman and the Speaker’s wife.
According to the statement, suspects were invited for questioning but failed to appear, prompting law enforcement to arrest one of the individuals who shared the content.
The original poster remains at large.
The arrested suspect was subsequently arraigned before a magistrate court on Monday, July 6, after the police filed a First Information Report (FIR) and completed the necessary legal procedures.
The council condemned what it described as the politicization of the matter, asserting that the arrests followed due process and were not politically driven.
“We urge the public to consider the facts and avoid spreading misinformation,” Galadima stated.
He emphasised that legal remedies are available for those seeking bail and warned against turning the issue into a media trial or campaign against public officials.
The council concluded by urging citizens and commentators to seek proper clarification and allow the law to take its course.