A high court in Kaduna State, presided over by Justice Binta Zubairu, has granted a restraining order against Governor Nasir El-Rufai or any Kaduna Government agent from demolishing over two thousand (2,000) houses in Nisi and Tasu communities of Chikun Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of the state.

Our reporters gathered that the two town have over two thousand (2,000) houses with a population of over ten thousand (10,000) and twenty five (25) churches and fourteen (14) schools.

The Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) had previously issued a demolishing notice dated February 7th, 2020 under the Kaduna State Urban and Regional Planning Law No. 31 of 2018 to the communities’ inhabitants.

The demolition notice was signed by the Director Central of Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA), Ismai’l Umaru Dikko, and posted on all affected property stated that,

It has come to the notice of the authority that you have encroached into an industrial layout and illegally developed a piece of land without obtaining necessary approval.

The action of yours is a contravention of the above-mentioned law. In view of the above, you are hereby given 21 days to remove the structure and vacate the site. Failure to comply with the above, the authority will be left with no option than to demolish the structure at your expense in accordance with section 60(2) of the Kaduna state urban planing law of 2018.

The communities approached the court via their team of lawyers led by Sam Atung Esq and sought among others a restraining order stopping the demolition.

Justice Zubairu in her wisdom granted their prayers,

An order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the defendant /respondent jointly and severally whether acting by themselves, officials, workmen etc and or whosoever or howsoever from demolishing, pulling down or interfering in whatever manner with the plaintiff/Applicants possession and interest in their houses lying and situate at Nisi and Tasu villages in Chikun Local Government Area (L.G.A.) of Kaduna state pending the hearing and determination of motion on notice.

Barrister Atung told journalists shortly after the justice adjourned the case till March 30th, 2020 that some of the affected houses have their building approvals by relevant government authorities in Kaduna State. He stressed that one of the houses in Nisi community also has Certificate of Occupancy.

The exparte order which was granted last week 28th February, 2020 ought to have elapsed today but has been extended to the next adjourned date of 30th March, 2020,

Atung disclosed.

Spokesperson of the two villagers, Stephen Charles, equally told journalists that Warrant Officer, Ndako Dauda (Retired) died shortly after the demolition notice was issued, while a pharmacist whose name he could not ascertain has been also hospitalized, following high blood pressure which resulted from the demolition notice.

Meanwhile, the government’s counsel, S.J. Madaki, who requested the for the adjournment could not be reached by our reporters for comments.

Justin Nwosu

Justin Nwosu is the founder and publisher of Flavision. His core interest is in writing unbiased news about Nigeria in particular and Africa in general. He’s a strong adherent of investigative journalism, with a bent on exposing corruption, abuse of power and societal ills.