Kano Court Voids Revocation of Tiamin Hospital, Orders State to Pay N2.6bn Compensation
Landmark Ruling Favors Property Owner in Dispute With Former Ganduje Administration
A Kano State High Court has delivered a significant judgment, nullifying the revocation of a prime property belonging to Tiamin Multi Services Global Limited. The court ordered the Kano State government to pay N2.6 billion in compensation and damages to the company.
Background of the Case
The disputed property, located along Court Road in Gyadi Gyadi, Tarauni Local Government Area, was revoked and demolished by the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. The demolition occurred when construction of what was planned to be an ultra-modern hospital was already at an advanced stage.
Tiamin Multi Services Global Limited filed suit in October 2019, seeking redress for what it claimed was an unlawful revocation and demolition of its property.
Court’s Ruling
Presiding Judge Ibrahim Karaye ruled on Wednesday that the revocation of the plaintiff’s Right of Occupancy was illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void. The judgment emphasized that the revocation notice issued on September 3, 2021, violated provisions of the Land Use Act as it was done without prior notice or fair hearing.
The court declared that the Certificates of Occupancy covering the property—LKN/COM/2017/116 (recertified as LPKN 1188), MLKN01622, and MLKN01837—remain valid and subsisting.
Key Declarations in the Judgment
The court made several important declarations:
- The revocation without notice was unconstitutional and void
- The plaintiff’s Certificates of Occupancy remain valid
- The demolition during pending litigation was unlawful
- The forceful takeover of the property was illegal
Compensation Awarded
The court awarded substantial damages:
- N2.125 billion as special damages for development expenses
- N500 million as general damages for illegal demolition
- N10 million for legal costs
Judge Karaye ordered the defendants to immediately vacate the property and restrained them from further interference with the plaintiff’s ownership rights.
This landmark judgment serves as a significant precedent in property rights cases in Nigeria, particularly regarding government revocation of land allocations.
Full credit to the original publisher: Daily Nigerian