A Kano State High Court has ordered the Kano State Government to pay N8.511 billion in damages to Lamash Properties Limited, the owners of buildings demolished by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf in June 2023.
Justice Sunusi Ma’aji also directed the government, Governor Yusuf, and the state Attorney General to pay an additional N10 million to cover the cost of filing the lawsuit.
Lamash Properties, represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria Nureini Jimoh, claimed that the demolition violated a valid agreement with the state government to develop the property for commercial purposes. The court ruled in favour of Lamash, stating the contract was enforceable, and the monetary value of the demolished property must be compensated.
Defense counsel Ibrahim Wangida criticized the judgement, citing procedural lapses, including the lack of a Hearing Notice, which led to their absence during a critical court session. He revealed plans to challenge the ruling and seek its reversal.
This is not the first significant ruling against the Kano State Government over demolitions. In September 2023, a Federal High Court awarded N30 billion in damages over the demolition of structures at Kofar Mata Eid Ground, part of a controversial exercise led by Governor Yusuf shortly after assuming office.
The demolitions have sparked mixed reactions, with some applauding efforts to reclaim public land and others condemning the destruction of allegedly legal structures.
