A civic group, the Gassol Development Frontier (GDF), has filed a formal petition against the Chairman of Gassol Local Government, Abubakar Saidu Bappah Nanu, accusing him of massive corruption involving employment racketeering and unauthorized sales of market shops.
In the petition addressed to Taraba State Governor, Dr. Agbu Kefas, and signed by Hamman Gidado (Chairman) and Abubakar Zelani (Secretary) of GDF, the group alleged that the LG Chairman had illegally collected millions of naira from over 500 desperate job seekers, promising them employment in exchange for payments ranging from ₦350,000 to ₦500,000.
The petition claims that the chairman, through a close ally, Buhari Muhammed, sold fake employment slots. One specific case involved ₦700,000 paid by Abbas Gashika in Jalingo for two jobs, a transaction that led to a police complaint and subsequent refund — though other victims allegedly remained silent out of fear.
GDF further accused Bappah Nanu of:
Removing over 50 legitimate workers from the council’s payroll, allegedly pocketing their salaries;
Unilaterally selling 142 shops in Mararaban Gassol at ₦250,000 each, and another 500 shops in Dananacha Yam Market at ₦120,000 per shop, without involving market leadership;
Issuing unauthorized employment letters to replace deceased, retired, or resigned staff.
The group is demanding the Governor set up an independent investigation panel to probe the allegations and prosecute the Chairman if found guilty.
Chairman Denies Allegations
Reacting to the allegations, Chairman Abubakar Bappah Nanu dismissed the petition as false and politically motivated. He denied any recruitment, monetary exchange for employment, or removal of names from the payroll.
He also refuted claims that he sold shops at the Mararaban Gassol Grain Market or Dananacha Yam Market, insisting that the local government followed due process in all activities.
The petition has sparked public interest across Taraba, with civil society groups calling for transparency and a swift response from the state government.
