By Salisu Ibrahim
Shop owners at Sharada Federal Housing Estate, Kano, are seeking for redress against the State Land Ministry, as they accuse the ministry of violating a court order.
The ministry had recently demolished their properties, deemed “illegal structures,” despite a Court injunction, Spokesman of the group, Alhaji Sani Maikusa, expressed deep concern over what he described as a forceful occupation of their legally acquired plots of land.
The Chairman alongside the Secretary, Alhaji Hafizu Mato, said the owner’s claim was that they acquired the land legally 23 years ago, with valid title documents for 60-99 years. “We’ve fulfilled financial obligations and await building permit regularization, suddenly the ministry demolished the structures”, he said.
The court order (Suit No: K/173/2023) restrained parties from interfering with the property, yet the demolition proceeded. The owners allege the Land Ministry disobeyed the order and are calling for Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s intervention.
“Most affected owners are retirees who invested their savings in these plots,” says Alhaji Sani Maikusa, Committee Chairman. “This action is a violation of our rights and disobedience to a lawful court order.”
The owners therefore urge the government to consult the Federal Housing Authority instead of punishing law-abiding citizens, as they seek Governor Yusuf’s intervention to ensure justice for them and order for investigation into the matter.