Kano Court Orders State Government to Pay N2.6bn Compensation for Illegal Land Revocation
Tiamin Multi Services Wins Landmark Case Against Kano State
A Kano State High Court has delivered a landmark judgment, nullifying the revocation of a property belonging to Tiamin Multi Services Global Limited and ordering the state government to pay N2.6 billion in compensation and damages.
Background of the Case
The disputed property, located along Court Road in Tarauni Local Government Area, was revoked and demolished by the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje while construction of an ultra-modern hospital was at an advanced stage.
Tiamin Multi Services filed the lawsuit in October 2019, seeking redress for what it described as an unlawful revocation and demolition of its property.
Court’s Ruling
Presiding Judge Ibrahim Karaye ruled that the revocation of the plaintiff’s Right of Occupancy was illegal, unconstitutional, null, and void. The judgment emphasized that the action 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 remain valid and subsisting, specifically:
- LKN/COM/2017/116 (recertified as LPKN 1188)
- MLKN01622
- MLKN01837
Key Declarations in the Judgment
The court made several important declarations:
- The revocation without notice was unconstitutional and void
- The 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 to Tiamin Multi Services:
- N2.125 billion – Special damages for development expenses
- N500 million – General damages for illegal demolition
- N10 million – Cost of filing the suit
Court Orders
Justice Karaye ordered the defendants to:
- Immediately vacate the property
- Cease all interference with the plaintiff’s ownership
- Pay the awarded compensation
This judgment sets an important precedent for property rights protection in Nigeria and serves as a warning against arbitrary government actions affecting private investments.
Full credit to the original publisher: Daily Nigerian