A prolonged legal battle over a residential property located along Waziri Maccido Road in the Bazza Area of Sokoto State came to a dramatic end on Saturday, May 23, 2026, following the execution of a court-ordered eviction against the occupant, Hajiya Balkisu Ibrahim Bazza.
The eviction, carried out by court bailiffs with the support of security operatives, marked the conclusion of a bitter one-year dispute that had generated tension within the area and involved multiple legal proceedings across different courts in Sokoto State.
The matter stemmed from a judgment delivered by the Sokoto State Rent Tribunal in Suit No. SSRT/116/2025, which ruled in favour of the claimant, Alhaji Junaidu Usman Junaidu, declaring him the lawful person entitled to immediate possession of the property.
Origin of the Property Dispute
The dispute originated from the ownership history of the property, which was reportedly inherited by Hon. Umar Bature from his late father.
Hon. Bature later sold the house to Alhaji Ya’u Umar. Because Ya’u was not resident in Sokoto, he permitted his mother-in-law, Hajiya Balkisu Ibrahim Bazza, to occupy the property while reserving a designated room within the premises for his personal use whenever he visited the state.
The arrangement reportedly remained cordial for some time until Alhaji Ya’u decided to sell the property to Alhaji Junaidu Usman Junaidu.
Following the purchase, the new owner, through his legal counsel, Umar Aminu Esq. of A. Umar & Co., issued a statutory seven-day notice to quit to Hajiya Balkisu in a formal letter dated March 9, 2025.
However, the occupant allegedly refused to vacate the premises, prompting the new owner to seek legal intervention.
Legal Battle Before Rent Tribunal and Sharia Courts
In response to the refusal to vacate the property, Junaidu’s legal team, Brave Hearts Attorneys, filed an action before the Sokoto State Rent Tribunal on May 24, 2025, seeking an order for ejection and recovery of possession.
While the matter was still pending before the Rent Tribunal, Hajiya Balkisu reportedly initiated separate legal actions within the Sharia court system in an attempt to establish ownership rights over the property.
In the first suit, marked CV/083/2025 and filed before the City Lower Sharia Court, Sokoto, she claimed that Alhaji Ya’u Umar had gifted the house to her under Islamic law through the principle of Hiba.
However, after reviewing the matter, the court reportedly struck out the case.
Undeterred by the dismissal, Hajiya Balkisu subsequently filed another suit, numbered CV/153/2025, against Alhaji Ya’u A. Umar.
In the second case, she reportedly altered her claim, arguing that Ya’u had gifted her money which she allegedly used to purchase the property herself.
That suit was also struck out by the court.
The repeated legal actions further prolonged the dispute and heightened tensions surrounding the property.
Tribunal Delivers Final Judgment
After months of proceedings, the Sokoto State Rent Tribunal eventually delivered judgment in favour of Alhaji Junaidu Usman Junaidu.
The Chairman of the tribunal signed the final eviction order on May 22, 2026, directing that possession of the property be handed over to the claimant.
Sources familiar with the case said efforts were initially made to ensure compliance with the judgment peacefully. However, when the occupant allegedly refused to vacate the premises voluntarily, court officials moved to enforce the order the following day.
Dramatic Eviction Operation
Eyewitnesses said the enforcement exercise on May 23 nearly degenerated into violence.
According to reports gathered by Buhari Umar Bazza, court bailiffs arrived at the property alongside security personnel to execute the eviction order.
During the operation, legal practitioner A. M. Jariri Esq. reportedly arrived at the scene and was briefed by court officials on the tribunal’s judgment, including the legal documents and procedural history of the matter.
However, after consultations were held with the occupants inside the house, tensions escalated.
Witnesses alleged that Hajiya Balkisu and some of her daughters refused to leave the apartment and locked themselves indoors while threatening resistance against the enforcement team.
The situation reportedly became increasingly tense, forcing officials to request additional security support to avoid a breakdown of law and order.
Female police officers and personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were subsequently deployed to the scene to assist with the operation.
Security operatives were eventually able to calm the situation and enforce the eviction order without major injuries or casualties.
New Owner Takes Possession
Following the successful execution of the tribunal’s judgment, Alhaji Junaidu Usman Junaidu officially took possession of the property, effectively ending the long-running dispute.
The case has attracted significant public attention in Sokoto due to the dramatic nature of the legal battle, the multiple court proceedings involved, and the tense circumstances surrounding the final eviction.
Legal observers say the matter highlights the importance of proper property documentation, adherence to tenancy regulations, and the role of the courts in resolving ownership disputes.
The conclusion of the case also underscores the increasing reliance on legal institutions in addressing property-related conflicts in urban communities across Nigeria.
Residents in the Bazza Area who witnessed the events described the eviction as one of the most dramatic court-enforced property recoveries seen in the area in recent years.
