A Kano High Court, presided over by Justice Sanusi Ma’aji, has ordered the Kano State Government to pay Lamash Properties Limited a sum of N8.5 billion in compensation for the demolition of a multi-million naira complex in June 2023.
In addition to the N8.5 billion, the court also directed the Kano State government, Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, and the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice to pay N10 million in legal costs.
The case was filed by Lamash Properties Limited, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Nureini Jimoh.
The plaintiff argued that the property, located on the site of the former Daula Hotel, was legally obtained through an agreement with the previous administration of Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje.
The plaintiff contended that the demolition was unjustified and sought a court declaration that the agreement made under Ganduje’s tenure remained valid and enforceable despite the actions of the current government.
Justice Ma’aji, agreeing with the plaintiff, ruled in favor of the N8.5 billion compensation, noting that the building, which had already been demolished, could not be restored.
Therefore, the court deemed the monetary value of the property as the appropriate form of restitution.
However, the defendants’ counsel, Ibrahim Wangida, raised objections, arguing that the judgment was delivered in default.
He claimed that the defense was not aware of the hearing notice and had not been given a fair opportunity to present their case.
According to Wangida, the court had failed to sit on the previously scheduled date, and when a new hearing date was set, the defense was not properly notified, as a wrong person was served the hearing notice.
The defense has since filed a motion to set aside the judgment and requested a new hearing date for the motions related to the case.
Wangida expressed concerns about the procedural irregularities, stating that the judgment was given based on deceit or mistakes.
