Disagreements Over Distribution Of Estate Of Aliu Mahama

Sharp disagreements have emerged over the distribution of the estate of the former Vice President, Alhaji Aliu Mahama, who passed on in 2012.

The disagreement over the right to inheritance of the late Vice President’s estate was heightened last Friday night, when his first son, Mahama Mahama, who is said to be domiciled in Europe, arrived in Tamale and moved into the residence and burial place of his father to perform some Islamic rituals.

Misunderstanding
This action by Mahama Mahama, which was interpreted as a forcible occupation of the residence, attracted the son of Mrs Ramatu Mahama, the former Second Lady, Farouk Mahama, to the house, which resulted in a heated argument among the family members.

Alhaji Aliu was said to have married two women, but divorced the mother of Mahama Mahama. Mahama Mahama’s presence in the house was therefore said to have heightened the lingering disagreement among the family members over the distribution of the late former Vice President’s estate.

The police in Tamale, who got wind of the heated argument, quickly deployed some men to the residence to maintain law and order and to calm down tempers to prevent the issue from degenerating into a conflict.

As at the time of filing this report yesterday (Sunday) morning, the security personnel, who were deployed to secure the former Vice President’s residence were still at post.

Family meeting
The family members of Alhaji Aliu met in Tamale last Saturday to deliberate and to find an amicable solution to the impasse over the distribution of his properties.

Even though the outcome of the meeting has not been disclosed, a source in the family indicated to the Daily Graphic that they were doing everything possible to ensure that the differences among the children did not degenerate into further conflict.

“At the moment we do not know whether the former Vice President left a will or not, but as a good Muslim and a role model, we will follow the laid-down principles as spelt out in Islam for the distribution of a deceased person’s property,” the source said.

Police intervention
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Northern Regional Police Command, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr Ebenezer Tetteh, confirmed the story but said the issue was purely a family affair and the police only intervened because of the stature of the late former Vice President and to ensure that his residence and where he was buried was secured.

He said no family member of the late former Vice President had lodged a formal complaint with the police regarding the issue.

Mr Tetteh said the command would continue to monitor the situation and maintain its presence at the residence.