Court restrains Lalong from demoting Gbong Gwom Jos

A Plateau State High Court sitting in Jos has restrained Governor Simon Lalong from altering the Jos Joint Traditional Council (JJTC) with the aim of reducing the status of Gbong Gwom Jos and President of the JJTC, Da Jacob Gyang Buba.

Seven Berom elders went to the court yesterday seeking an ex parte motion to restrain the Governor and the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Dayyabu Garga, from reducing his influence.

Gbong Gwom Jos has been the Chairman of the JJTC with Jos North, Jos South, Riyom and Barkin Ladi under his jurisdiction. But with the 2016 government gazette, Buba’s powers have been depleted and limited to only Jos South and Barkin Ladi thereby making him the Gbong Gwom Berom.

Presiding Judge Justice Christine L. Dabup, who granted the order in a suit marked PLD/3257/2019 filed yesterday by Niri Darong, counsel for the plaintiffs/Applicants, Da Simon Pam Karak and six other Berom elders, also restrained the governor from suspending or deposing any member of the JJTC.
 
“The motion ex parte dated May 22, 2019 was filed on the same day and accompanied by a 22 paragraph affidavit and six exhibits, deposed to by one Da Daniel Choji of Dong, Kabong District, Jos North Local Government Council praying the court for an order of interim injunction and mandatory injunction.”

But upon consideration, the court ordered that the Governor of Plateau State, four others and their agents, representatives or privies are restrained from tampering with the composition of the JJTC including suspending or deposing any member of the council pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
 
“The defendants are mandated to continue to recognise the Gbong Gwom Jos as President of the Council comprising Jos North, Jos South, Barkin-Ladi and Riyom local government areas pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice,” the court ruled.

Lalong had issued a circular through the Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Alhaji Dayyabu Garga, notifying Chairmen of Jos North and Riyom Local Government Areas of the establishment of Jos and Riyom Traditional Councils.