23/12/2025
GOSUPDA Denies Allegations of Illegal Land Revocation, Reallocation in Gombe
By Saeed Ahmad Bappah | December 23, 2025
The Gombe State Urban Planning and Development Authority (GOSUPDA) has firmly denied allegations circulating on social media that it unlawfully revoked a parcel of land belonging to the late Alhaji Lawan Bawasa and reallocated it to one Saleh Dan Masanin Tumu.
The Chairman of GOSUPDA, Alhaji Babbayo Samanja Maudo, made this known while addressing journalists in Gombe, describing the claims as false, misleading, and capable of causing unnecessary public tension.
He explained that the land in question, located around the Rainbow Roundabout in Gombe metropolis, was originally owned by the late Alhaji Lawan Bawasa but is currently being claimed by Saleh Dan Masanin Tumu, who allegedly commenced construction on the site without the consent of the Bawasa family.
According to Alhaji Samanja, official records from the Gombe State Ministry of Works confirm that the plot was duly compensated for by the Government and designated as a Right of Way (ROW). He stressed that such designation automatically removes the land from private ownership, adding that no individual is legally permitted to claim or develop the property.
He further disclosed that GOSUPDA has resolved to invite all parties involved in the dispute to a meeting aimed at clarifying the issues and ensuring a peaceful resolution. Preliminary findings, he said, indicate that some of the children of the late Alhaji Lawan Bawasa may not have been aware that compensation had already been paid to their father.
The GOSUPDA chairman said that following a formal complaint, officials of the Authority visited the site and issued stop-work and report notices, directing that all construction activities be suspended pending investigation. Despite these directives, he alleged that construction continued even after first and second stop notices were clearly posted on the site.
As part of efforts to resolve the matter amicably and in line with due process, GOSUPDA withdrew the temporary approval earlier granted to Saleh Dan Masanin Tumu to operate a car wash on the land.
Alhaji Samanja condemned what he described as malicious and misleading social media publications, accusing certain individuals of attempting to tarnish the image of GOSUPDA and the Gombe State Government for personal or political motives.
He assured residents that GOSUPDA remains committed to transparency, fairness, and the rule of law, emphasizing that the Authority does not have constitutional powers to allocate or sell land. Rather, its mandate is limited to urban planning regulation and the issuance of temporary approvals for lawful activities where necessary.
He added that, upon the conclusion of investigations, appropriate action would be taken and the land would be handled strictly in accordance with the law.
HAMMAJO WORLD