Son Of Late Ebiraland Monarch Petitions NJC As Court Battle With Ex-NASS Clerk Over N7bn Properties Stalls

ThewhistlerMay 12, 2024Read original

The family feud over properties worth N7bn belonging to the descendants of the late Ohinoyi of Ebiraland in Kogi State, Alhaji Muhammed Sani Omolori, has continued to deepen as Buhari Sani Omolori, one of the late monarch’s sons, has dragged his elder brother before the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Buhari, in previous petitions, accused Ataba, a former Clerk to the National Assembly, of fraudulently diverting their inheritance.

In a fresh petition dated April 25, 2024, addressed to the National Judicial Council (NJC), Buhari accused Ataba of illegally selling off several prime properties in Abuja after their father’s death in 1996, without the knowledge or consent of other family members.

According to Buhari, their late father had acquired at least 7 lands across upscale Abuja districts like Maitama, Asokoro, Katampe and Mabushi before his passing. However, barely days after the monarch’s death, Ataba allegedly stole the briefcase containing the original property documents.

Buhari claimed that investigations by the family revealed that Ataba forged documents to transfer three of the properties bought in the name of a company owned by their late father, despite not being a director in the company.

THE WHISTLER reported that one of the properties in Katampe was the subject of a recent police investigation that indicted Ataba for criminal conspiracy and forgery.

Despite a court summons issued on January 25, 2024, following the police report, Ataba has allegedly refused to appear, with senior police officers allegedly attempting to pressure the investigating team to transfer the case.

Buhari’s fresh petition states that upon the family’s insistence on partitioning the late monarch’s assets in 2017, Ataba claimed their father only had one credible property in Mabushi, which he sold off in 1999. He also allegedly failed to provide documents for two contracts their father had before his demise, despite earlier promises.

Buhari further accused Ataba of ignoring repeated family invitations since 1997 to account for the properties under his control.

Also, Efforts to resolve the matter through the traditional authorities and Sharia courts have also proven futile.

The aggrieved late monarch’s son implored the NJC to ensure the magistrate court concludes the case against his brother to uphold justice.

He had alleged that at least 12 siblings have died from illnesses that could have been treated if they had access to their legitimate inheritances.

When contacted earlier by THE WHISTLER, Ataba did not respond to requests for comments on the allegations.

Instead, he directed his lawyer, Sani Abbas, to speak contact our correspondent.

Abbas had denied the allegation that his client was avoiding arrest, saying he was of town.

“First, my client would never avoid the police, that I am sure of. Secondly, my client has been out of town. I, personally, have been to the police station and I told the police he is out of town and when he is back, he would come.

“So, my client is not running away from the police. He would never refuse to visit any authority that invites him for anything that has a reasonable cause.

“On the other issues, I do not have my client’s instructions to speak to you. I would seek his consent and if he gives me the go-ahead, I would call you,” Abbas had said.