Justice Ali Bappa of the Taraba State High Court has responded to allegations linking him and his family to a land dispute and a violent attack against businessman and politician Alhaji Umaru Garba Alahsule.

In a statement to journalists in Jalingo, Justice Bappa denied any involvement in the claims, explaining that he has no personal dispute with Alahsule or any role in the alleged attack.

“I have no personal land where the man is raising issues. We do have family land in the area, but I have never authorized anyone to destroy property or harm anyone over land. I am a judge. I know the lawful way to handle disputes, not through violence,” Justice Bappa stated.

The accusations were made earlier in the week by Alahsule, who claimed that Justice Bappa and his family were attempting to seize his plots of land, located near the Taraba State Deputy Governor’s office along the Jaka-Daferi to Specialist Hospital road in Jalingo.

Alahsule also accused a relative of the judge, identified as Zaran Bappa, of attacking him and his associates at his office near the PDP Secretariat on Barde Way. According to Alahsule, the assault resulted in damage to his car and included threats to his life if he attempted to return to the contested land.

The businessman also alleged that Zaran Bappa went to the disputed property, demolished a perimeter fence, and marked the land with the words “Alhajuj Bapa Family Land.”

In response, Alahsule presented documents to the media, including fencing permits and land registration papers, to assert his legal ownership of the land, which he said he had developed over seven years.

“I have done all the proper registration with the Urban Planning authority. After years of investment, I am now facing violent attempts to take what I have lawfully built,” Alahsule said.

Alahsule has called on both federal and state authorities, as well as security agencies, to intervene in the matter, citing concerns over threats to his life and property.

The acting Public Relations Officer of the Taraba State Police Command, Lashen James, confirmed that the case is under investigation.