By Ezekiel Dontinna
The Allied People’s Movement (APM), Plateau State, has filed a case dragging the Councillor representing Jenta–Apata, Hon. Kim Chollom, for trespass and painting its party office at Jenta–Apata Ward of Jos-North Local Government Area.
It has also dragged the Landlord Mr Yohana Loman, to court for breach of rent agreement and for allowing the Councillor to have access to the property without the party’s knowledge even when the rent has not expired.
The APM Ward Deputy Chairman of Jenta-Apata, Mr Istifanus Isa, who signed for the party in court has included the painter in order to trace or have authentic evidence before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Jos North LGA.
The party in a direct civil complaint, allegedly accused the Councillor representing Jenta Apata of conniving with the landlord’s sister to commit this offense on 7th Day of January,2025 .
The party’s prayer in the suit was on one count charge of Public office Trespass which is an offence of violation in Section 94 / 223 of Plateau State Penal Code Law.
However, when the count charge was read to the defendant by the clerk he pleaded not guilty of the charge, he pleaded not guilty.
Counsel to the Complainant H.A.Shakmut, therefore, called for adjournment of the hearing to enable him prove the case against the defendant and the case adjourned to February 17th ,2025 for the next hearing.
Speaking to Journalists shortly after the hearing, the Deputy Ward Chairman of Jenta-Apata, Hon. Istifanus Isa, said the party dragged defendants to court because their party office which they rented as office, was painted without their knowledge.
He narrated that, the party office was painted on January 7, 2025 and when asked, the painter said he was contracted by the Councillor, Hon. Kim Chollom, to pain the party office white covering the party’s logo.
Isa, thereafter, reported the action to Katako Divisional Headquarters and when the Police immediately invited the painter and the Landlord for more investigation.
He disclosed further that, it was at the Police Station that the landlord rejected knowing anything about the action and that, he wasn’t aware of the person who gave him the work .
The Deputy Chairman, explained that the painter disclosed to the police who contracted him and it was the Councillor representing Jenta Apata.
However, information later filtered that the landlord sister connived and invited the Councillor to sponsor the repainting of the entire building, erasing their party logo even when tenancy has not expired.
It would be recalled that, at the heat of last Local Government Elections in Plateau State, the Jenta-Apata Ward Allied People’s Movement (APM), opted out of the race and supported candidate of their choice for the interest of the party and peaceful conduct of the October 9, 2024 Local Government Elections.
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