Court restrains Kano govt from demolishing structures in state

By Bashir Bello

A Federal High Court, sitting in Kano, has restrained the Kano State Government and its agents from demolishing structures in the state.

The presiding Justice, S. A. Amobeda, gave the order while ruling in an ex-parte motion by a resident of Salanta area, along BUK road of the state, Saminu Muhammad.

Justice Amobeda ordered that all the defendants and their agents should stay action pending the determination of the substantive suit.

Recall that Kano State Government recently marked some buildings at Salanta quarters for demolition. The perimeter fences of most of the houses had already destroyed.

Parties joined in the suit include, the Attorney General, Kano State, Solicitor General, Kano State, Kano State Government, Kano State Bureau for Land Management, Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority, KNUPDA, Nigeria Police Force, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Kano State, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Commandant, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Kano State.

The Order partly reads: “That Order of this Court is hereby made in the interim restraining the Respondents by themselves, agents, servant or proxies whatsoever called from encroaching, trespassing, entering, invading, demolishing or revoking the Applicant’s titles or doing any other act in respect of the Applicant’s property No. 41 and 43 situate at Salanta, along BUK Road, Kano, covered by Certificate of Occupancy Number KNMLO8228 and Certificate of Occupancy Number KNMLO8229 pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion.

“That Order of this Honourable Court is hereby made granting leave to the bailiff of this court to serve the 3rd, 4h, 5h and 6th Respondents with all processes and all subsequent processes in this suit through any staff or officer in the office of the 1st and 2nd Respondents and deeming the service as valid, personal and proper.

“That Order of this Honourable Court is made granting leave to the bailiff of this Court to serve the 7th and 8th Respondents with all processes and all subsequent processes in this suit through the office of the 9th Respondent and deeming the service as valid, personal and proper.”