A Zamfara State High Court has directed the seizure of a trailer load of tractors belonging to the State government pending the determination of the case before it.
The presiding judge, Justice Bello Shinkafi made the order after an oral application was tendered by lead counsel to a company, Duburum Nigeria Limited, Barrister John Shaka.
The counsel to the complainant, Barrister John Shaka had asked the court to order for the detention of the trailer-load of tractors pending proper enquiry and determination of the real ownership.
Justice Bello and both parties later went to the location where the trailer-load of tractors was parked and after conducting the inspection, ruled that the trailer be brought to the premises of the court until the real owner is determined.
He said that the court will determine if they do not fall among the 58 tractors.
Meanwhile, the court had earlier summoned the Zamfara State commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources to appear before it on Wednesday, 14th September, 2022, to make clarifications on the tractors.
But the commissioner was absent in court.
However, the counsel to the State government told the court that the commissioner was attending the 45th Regular meeting of Council of Agriculture and Rural Development in Jos, Plateau State.
Speaking with newsmen after the session, the lead Counsel to the complainant, John Shaka said the court proceeding was for the Zamfara State commissioner for Agriculture and Natural Resources to come and explain the reason some tractors which were seized by the court to clear debt were sold to other persons.
He said that Duburum Nigeria limited was awarded a contract by the State government to supply motorcycles some years ago but the State government refused to pay the contractor even after the contract had been executed.
“Therefore the company instituted a suit in court to challenge the action of the State Government which the court gave judgement in its favour. The court ruled that the debt be settled instalmentally yet the State government refused to pay.
“The Zamfara State Government failed to comply with the court judgement leading to the seizure of some of its properties by the court to be sold to pay the debt,” he said.
The case has been adjourned to 28th September, 2022, for the commissioner to appear in person to clarify why they sold the properties which the court seized.
