Ankpa LG Chairman Denies Allegations of Illegal Land Sale for Mining Activities »

The Executive Chairman of Ankpa Local Government Area, Hon. Engr. Ademu Mohammed Yahaya, has firmly denied allegations made by one Angela Omatokole, who accused him of illegally selling land belonging to her relative to Chinese and Russian companies for coal mining activities.

In a statement issued through his Chief Press Secretary, Idris Mohammed Omale, the Chairman described the allegations as false, baseless, and politically motivated, stating that they are designed to distract his administration from its development-focused mandate.

“The claim made by Angela Omatokole on social media, alleging that I colluded with traditional rulers to sell her relative’s land to foreign mining companies, is entirely unfounded and lacks any form of credible evidence,” Engr. Ademu stated.

He emphasized that the sale of land, whether government-owned or privately held is not within the scope of his responsibilities as Council Chairman. “Such claims portray a gross misunderstanding of the duties of my office. The idea that I am involved in the sale of private land is not only misleading but borders on criminal defamation,” he said.

Engr. Ademu further noted that his administration has consistently maintained transparency in public service delivery and has regularly presented stewardship reports to the people of Ankpa. He encouraged the public to seek information from credible and official sources to avoid being misled by misinformation or malicious propaganda.

The statement also recalled Engr. Ademu’s longstanding advocacy for the rights of artisan miners and the fair treatment of host communities affected by mining operations, even before he assumed office as Chairman. “My record on mining issues is clear, I have always stood for justice and fairness for the local communities,” he affirmed.

Describing the accusation as a deliberate attempt to tarnish his reputation, the Chairman said, “It is evident that this is a politically motivated move aimed at discrediting my leadership. However, my resolve to serve the people of Ankpa remains unshaken.”

He reaffirmed his commitment to inclusive governance and developmental strides across all sectors in the local government. “Leadership is a divine responsibility, not a platform for political vendetta. No amount of blackmail will derail our vision for a better Ankpa.”