The Kano State Government has announced its intention to appeal a Federal High Court ruling which ordered the payment of N30 billion compensation to the Incorporated Trustees of Massallacin Eid Shop Owners for the unlawful demolition of their shops.
POLITICS NIGERIA reports that the government’s reaction was made known by the State Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Haruna Dederi, who described the ruling as “unfounded” and said that the government has all necessary documents in place to appeal the case.
“We are going to contest that at the Court of Appeal and moreover, the land use decree is very clear about the powers of the governor over land in the state and more particularly in urban areas,” Dederi said.
The Federal High Court had on Friday ruled that the Kano State Government’s action in demolishing the shops without following due process was “barbaric and unconstitutional.”
Justice Samuel Amobeda, who delivered the ruling, ordered the government to pay the traders N30 billion in compensation.
The shopping malls around Kano Eid Ground were demolished by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf-led administration in June this year, which tagged the buildings as illegal structures.
The action, according to the government, was part of its campaign promises delivered to the good people of Kano State.
However, the traders challenged the demolition at the Federal High Court.
