Kano state government has been barred by a state high court from demolishing structures comprising of plazas and filling stations along BUK road of the state metropolis.
Kano Urban Development Planning Authority (KNUPDA) had marked structures along BUK Road for demolition, a development that generated controversy. It includes multimillion-naira plazas and filling stations located along popular BUK Road, as well as property built around the ancient Kano City Wall (Badala).
The state government said the land belonged to the ancient Kano City Wall and that they were illegally sold by the past administration of Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
Though one of the buildings belongs to Kano Property Investment, the state government vowed to demolish the properties and recover the land for its original plan.
Justice Hafsat Yahaya who ruled on a lawsuit filed by owners of the properties, granted an interim order restraining the state governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf and three other defendants from demolishing the said structures.
It read;
“An order of interim injunction is granted to the plaintiffs restraining the demolition by themselves, agents, privies, workmen or surveyors or anybody working or claiming to act for encroaching, involving on demolition of the buildings, or revoking the rights of occupancy issued, or doing any other thing that may temper with the position of the plots, subject matter in this suit situated along BUK road in Gwale Local Government Area of Kano State, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The court then adjourned to October 26, 2023 for hearing of substantive suit.
