News
CSO Alleges Brazen Land Grabbing and Abuse of Land Use Act by Colleen Mero Yesufu
By Dominion Duke
A civil society organisation under the banner of the National Advocacy for Justice and Truth (NAFJAT) has raised a clarion call, accusing estate agency owner Colleen Mero Yesufu of brazenly violating the 1978 Land Use Act through a campaign of alleged land grabbing.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, NAFJAT’s National Coordinator, Barr. Uthman Zango, described the leaked documents that supposedly expose Yesufu’s sprawling land acquisitions as a “stain on justice.” He expressed astonishment at how Yesufu could reportedly manipulate the Abuja Geographic Information System (AGIS) to secure plots under multiple first names—an action that, if true, would strike at the heart of Nigeria’s land laws.
*“In Katampe District,” Zango explained, *“File No. MISC/89XX/AGIS/2020 lists Mero Y. as an allottee — ‘Application Approved, Ministerial Consent Granted.’
Weeks later, in Kabusu, a record shows C. Yesufu under ‘New Regularization – Revalidated.’ Same surname, different first names, the same month of approval. Across Jahi, Apo, Orozo, and Guzape, the same pattern repeats — overlapping allocations, identical handwriting, synchronized endorsements. Each document fits into the next like pieces of a puzzle only insiders could assemble.”
Zango lamented what he believes to be an unholy alliance between Yesufu and government officials, claiming that hardworking Nigerians have been defamed while the “true land grabber” evaded scrutiny. He underscored the need for a comprehensive investigation into the alleged “shady deals” that facilitated the land acquisitions and urged Nigerians to see through what he called a “blackmailing machine driven by envy, jealousy, and baseless hatred.”
Calling on the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to scrutinise the leaked documents, Zango warned that land in the Federal Capital Territory—already scarce and meant to be tightly regulated—must not be commodified by a privileged few. AGIS records allegedly show the Yesufu family obtaining several prime plots within months, while countless applicants wait.
“This kind of abnormality is only possible with complicity from the inside,” Zango asserted. “Someone is feeding them timing, file codes, and clearance windows. That’s not luck — that’s access.”
He pointed to matching “Accepted,” “Scanned,” and “Temporary Revalidation” stamps as evidence of systemic fast-tracking, implying that the Yesufu family were not merely beneficiaries but active participants in a wider conspiracy. He expressed frustration over what he sees as public complacency in the face of such alleged wrongdoing.
When rumours of multiple plots began to circulate, Zango noted, the Yesufu family allegedly sought to deflect attention by accusing others. Documents show that Mrs. Rebecca Godwin-Isaac’s lands were lawfully acquired on the secondary market, yet she was tarnished, while the Yesufu name appeared on initial AGIS approvals. This inversion of guilt, Zango argued, was a calculated diversion.
He accused AGIS of systemic manipulation and highlighted the recurring term “Temporary Revalidation” across the Yesufu files, insisting that “until those files are opened, AGIS will remain a crime scene disguised as a database.” According to Zango, the Yesufu family’s alleged land empire was built not with bulldozers but with stamps, connections, and a bureaucracy reluctant to resist.
News
Amb Lion Ogorry Files Landmark Lawsuit Against Sahara Reporters, Sowore For Misleading and Malicious Publication Endangering National Security
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry, a renowned public advocacy practitioner and activist, today announced the filing of a high-profile lawsuit against Sahara Reporters Ltd. and its publisher, Omoyele Sowore, in the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
The suit, numbered FCT/HC/CV/4767/2025, accuses the defendants of publishing a false, malicious, and reckless article that violates Nigeria’s Constitution, the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, Etc.) Act 2015, and other laws protecting public discourse, national security, and public order.
The originating summons, filed on November 24, 2025, stems from a Sahara Reporters article titled
“EXCLUSIVE: How Tinubu’s Defence Minister Matawalle Maintains Contact With Bandit Leaders, Ordered Them To Compel Communities To Vote For APC—Former Aide,” published on November 19, 2025.
Ambassador Ogorry alleges that the publication contains grave, unfounded accusations against the Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Matawalle, claiming he maintains illicit contacts with bandit leaders, orders communities to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC), and engages in activities that undermine counter-terrorism efforts.
These claims, according to the suit, are not only false but also fabricated to incite alarm, hatred, and ill-will, while endangering national security and public safety.
In his affidavit supporting the summons, Ambassador Ogorry, a Nigerian citizen and resident of Abuja with a long-standing commitment to public order and lawful civic discourse, emphasized that the article was disseminated widely across Sahara Reporters’ website, social media channels, X.com (Twitter) account, Facebook pages, WhatsApp broadcasts, and other platforms. He described the publication as a blatant violation of Section 39(3)(a) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prohibits speech that endangers public safety, national security, and public order. Furthermore, it contravenes Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by disseminating false, misleading, and harmful information capable of causing alarm or ill-will.
“The defendants’ reckless actions have not only tarnished the reputation of a dedicated public servant but have also compromised ongoing military operations against banditry and terrorism in Nigeria’s North-West region,” said Ambassador Ogorry. “This publication promotes distrust, exposes the Minister to risks, and undermines the morale of our armed forces engaged in counter-terrorism. It is a direct assault on our national security and the freedom of expression that must be balanced with responsibility.”
The lawsuit seeks the following reliefs from the court:
– A declaration that the publication is false, misleading, malicious, and not protected speech under Section 39(1) of the Constitution (as amended).
– A declaration that it falls within restricted speech under Section 39(3)(a), endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
– A declaration that it violates Sections 24(1)(a) & (b) of the Cybercrimes Act 2015 by prohibiting false, harmful, or misleading information.
– AN ORDER OF INJUNCTION restraining the Defendants, their agents, or privies from further publishing, distributing, circulating, or causing to be circulated the said false publication or any other malicious publication especially as it relates to and against the person of Defence Minister, Dr. Matawalle.
– An order directing the defendants to issue a public retraction of the publication and publish a full apology on their website and social media channels for 14 consecutive days.
– General and exemplary damages of N10,000,000,000 (Ten Billion Naira) for the frivolous, false, and malicious publication geared toward endangering public safety, national security, and public order.
Ambassador Ogorry highlighted that the article, based on unverified claims from an alleged “former senior aide,” lacks any official record or evidence, demonstrating the defendants’ disregard for truth and ethical journalism. He urged the court to address this as a matter of urgent national importance, citing precedents such as President F.R.N. v. ISA (2017) and Guardian Newspapers v. AIEH (2011), which affirm that freedom of expression does not protect reckless publications that threaten security.
“This lawsuit is not just about correcting a falsehood; it’s about safeguarding Nigeria’s democracy, protecting public officials from baseless attacks, and ensuring media accountability,” Ambassador Ogorry added. “Sahara Reporters and Omoyele Sowore must be held responsible for their role in spreading dangerous misinformation that could fuel terrorism and disrupt public order.”
The case is set for hearing in the Abuja Judicial Division, and Ambassador Ogorry expressed confidence in the judiciary’s ability to uphold justice and constitutional principles.
About Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry
Ambassador Adebayo Lion Ogorry is a public advocacy practitioner, activist, and Nigerian citizen dedicated to promoting national security, public order, and lawful civic discourse. With a focus on protecting public discourse from malicious interference, he advocates for responsible journalism and governance.
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