The Kano State Government has appealed a recent judgement by the Federal High Court, which ordered it to pay N30 billion as compensation to a group of traders whose shops were demolished. The court, presided over by Justice Simon Anogede, deemed the government’s actions barbaric and unconstitutional.
In response to the judgement, the court awarded N30 billion in compensation to the traders, although they had initially demanded N250 billion. The judge further ruled for the immediate payment of this sum.
Contrary to the court’s decision, the Kano State government has swiftly appealed the judgement, citing it as a miscarriage of justice. The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi, argued that the court erred in granting judgement to the Traders Association. He maintains that the Land Use Act clearly states the government’s ownership of land in every state.
Barrister Dederi emphasized that the court exceeded its jurisdiction by entertaining the case, given that the Land Use Act unequivocally designates the government as the sole owner of land.
