Court Bars Kano From Demolishing Residential Buildings

A Federal high court in Kano has prohibited the state government from demolishing residential buildings in Salanta quarters

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A Federal high court in Kano has prohibited the state government from demolishing residential buildings in Salanta quarters. The government had earmarked certain structures for demolition, but residents took their case to court. Justice Simon Amobeda, in delivering the judgement for a fundamental rights enforcement suit, stated that the properties in question were lawfully acquired and therefore cannot be demolished without the consent of the owners.

The plaintiffs brought their case to court in July 2023, seeking protection for their property rights. The court initially granted a temporary order halting the state government from taking further action until a final decision was made.

The plaintiffs include Alhaji Ali Mai Kusa, Ali Rabiu Awwalu, Balarabe Sani Salanta, Umar Ibrahim Batayya, Salisu Idris Daneji, Alhaji Ibrahim Sadi, and Umar Shittu Sharubutu.

According to Kabiru Ishaq Kofa, counsel for the plaintiffs, the court’s judgement prohibits the Kano state government and its agencies from invading, demolishing, or forcibly acquiring any of the plaintiffs’ properties against their will. The court refrained from awarding damages as requested by the applicants, exercising discretion.

Kofa emphasized that his clients followed all legal procedures in acquiring the properties long before the current administration took office. Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had ordered the demolition of buildings believed to be illegally owned shortly after assuming office, alleging that the previous administration allocated land to cronies and unlawfully sold public school lands, graveyards, and mosque properties without due process.

Efforts to obtain comments from the state attorney general and commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, regarding the judgement and the government’s next steps were unsuccessful.

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