Court bars Kano From demolishing residential buildings

A Federal high court in Kano has barred the state government from demolition of residential buildings at Salanta quarters.

The government had marked some buildings for demolition, but residents approached the court.

Justice Simon Amobeda, while delivering judgement in fundamental rights enforcement suit, held that the landed property in question were legitimately acquired and therefore could not be demolished without the consent of the owners.

The plaintiffs had approached the court in July 2023, seeking protection of their rights to the property,

The court then granted a temporary order restraining the state government from further action pending final determination of the case.

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

Counsel for the plaintiffs, Kabiru Ishaq Kofa, said by virtue of the court judgement, “Kano state government or Kano state Urban planning Development authority, KANUPDA, their agents or privies are perpetually forbidden from invading or demolishing or even forcefully acquiring or removing any of their property or taking over the property or rights therein against their wish.”

He said the court in its wisdom refused to award damage as the applicants requested because it is discretional.

The lawyer said his clients followed all legal processes before acquiring the properties long before the coming of the present administration.

Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf had ordered demolition of buildings perceived to owned illegally few days after assuming office, accusing the previous administration of land allocation to cronies and illegal sales of some lands belonging to public Schools, grave yards and mosques without recourse to due process.

Attempts to get comment of the state attorney general and commissioner for Justice Haruna Isa Dederi, on the judgement and the government’s next move were not successful.