Plateau Assembly Moves to Confiscate, Demolish Buildings Used for Criminal Activities.

The Plateau State House of Assembly has begun legislative action to curb the use of residential and commercial buildings for criminal activities by introducing a bill that would empower courts to order the forfeiture, sealing or demolition of properties used for serious crimes across the state.

The proposed legislation, sponsored by the member representing Rukuba/Irigwe Constituency, Hon. Eli Bako, seeks to prohibit the use of buildings for crimes including ritual killings, kidnappings, unlawful detention, mob violence, terrorism, human trafficking and cult-related killings. The bill is co-sponsored by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, Hon. Joseph Gokum, Hon. Abel Nimchak and Hon. Mathew Kwarpo.

Titled “A Bill for a Law to Prohibit the Use of Buildings for Serious Criminal Activities and to Provide for the Forfeiture or Demolition of Such Buildings in Plateau State, and for Related Matters, 2026,” the bill scaled first reading during Tuesday’s plenary in Jos.

According to the proposed law, only properties proven before a court of competent jurisdiction to have been knowingly used for the commission of serious criminal offences would be subject to forfeiture, sealing, demolition or any other lawful action deemed appropriate by the court.

The bill also seeks to strengthen public safety by holding property owners accountable where they deliberately permit their buildings to be used for criminal purposes, while protecting innocent landlords and occupants through due process.

To safeguard legitimate property owners, the bill provides that no building shall be demolished merely because a crime occurred on the premises unless the court is satisfied that the owner knowingly participated in or allowed the criminal activity, or intentionally maintained the property for repeated unlawful use.

It further states that where an owner demonstrates that reasonable steps were taken to prevent the unlawful use of the property, the court may impose alternative lawful sanctions instead of demolition. Where demolition is ordered, the relevant government authority is expected to execute the order within 48 hours.

The legislation also places obligations on landlords to properly identify prospective tenants, maintain accurate tenancy records, report suspected criminal activities to law enforcement agencies and cooperate with investigations. Failure to discharge these responsibilities alone would not automatically warrant demolition except as otherwise provided by law.

Meanwhile, the House also passed for second reading a bill seeking to establish the Plateau State Creative Industry Development Agency to regulate and promote the state’s creative sector. The bill is sponsored by Hon. Dickson Chollom, Speaker Rt. Hon. Naanlong Daniel, Hon. Owen Dagogot and Hon. Denty Laven.

In a related development, lawmakers received the report of the House Committee on Health on a bill seeking to establish, develop and regulate Health Management Information Systems, Diseases and Geomatic Banking in Plateau State. The report was presented by the committee chairman, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Sanda, and was passed for the Governor’s assent.