By Uzair Adam Imam
A Federal High Court in Kano state has ordered the state Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, and other respondents to jointly pay two brothers the sum of one million naira each for attempting to demolish their properties at Salanta quarters.
In a court sitting on Friday, Justice Simon Amobeda described the attempt by the state government and its agents as an infringement to the applicants right to own immovable property as guaranteed by the Nigerian constitution.
Justice Amobeda stated that the intrusion to the applicants’ properties around 11pm on 14th June, 2023, in an attempt to carry out demolition is clearly infringement to their private and family life as enshrined by the constitution.
He stated, “The Respondents are also ordered to remove the red signing marked: 14th June,/KN/ KNUPDA made by their staff or Agents on the Wall of the Applicant’s Properties situated at Salanta and to repaint the wall to the satisfaction of all respondents.”
Barrister Bashir Ibrahim, who filed the suit on behalf of the applicants, applauded the court judgement and described it as a landmark for protection of human rights.
However, also speaking with the journalists after the judgement, counsel to Kano State Government and other respondents, Barrister Musa Dahuru Muhd, said they would study the judgement and advise the Government on the next step.