Bauchi govt revokes DAAR Communication’s land

Bauchi State government has revoked the Right of Occupancy of a land belonging to DAAR Communication, owners of African Independent Television (AIT) and Raypower.
The revocation letter seen by Daily Trust was signed by the Bauchi State commissioner of land, Alhaji Abubakar Tatari Ali.
The letter reads in part “I am to write and inform you that the title has been withdrawn for overriding public interest as contained in Section 28 of the Land Use Act No 6 of 1978.”
Daily Trust findings revealed that the state Assets Recovery Committee had earlier visited the place housing AIT and its sister Raypower FM station and informed the management about the impending action.
The AIT station manager in Bauchi, Yakubu Bala, said the revocation may not be unconnected with the sponsored programme being aired by their FM station Raypower, which has been very critical of the government.
When contacted, the Press Secretary to the Bauchi State governor, Abubakar El-Sadique said that he is aware of the development but did not comment. The commissioner of Lands, Alhaji Abubakar Tatari Ali did not pick calls made to phone by our reporter.