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From Noah Ebije, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has reinstated two parcels of land situated in different areas of Kaduna city to the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, two years after they were revoked and seized by former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The two parcels of land are located at No. 9 Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, measuring 2,284m² and covered by Kaduna State Certificate of Occupancy No. 30575, and No. 1 Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi, GRA, Kaduna, measuring 3,705m² and covered by Kaduna State Certificate of Occupancy No. 11458.
Abacha family lawyer, Reuben Atabo (SAN), told newsmen that the Right of Occupancy (RO) for the two properties was revoked in 2022 and seized by the immediate past governor of the state, Nasir El-Rufai.
The Kaduna State Government had placed a newspaper advert on April 28, 2022, stating:
“This is to inform the general public that His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, has in exercise of the power conferred on him under the Land Use Act, 1978, revoked titles to plots of land within Kaduna metropolis for various contraventions of terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy.”
According to Atabo, the name of Sani Abacha was listed as number 34 in the publication for the revocation of land titles.
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In response, Atabo filed suits (No. KDH/KAD/465/2021 and No. KDH/KAD/509/2022) at the Kaduna State High Court, seeking claims for embarrassment to the Abacha family name due to the publication, among other reliefs.
However, Governor Sani, in two letters dated 10th December 2024, through Mustapha Haruna, Deed Registrar, on behalf of the Director General of the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), reinstated the titles of the lands, instructing the titleholders to pay outstanding ground rent fees.
The letters were addressed to Mohammed Sani Abacha, care of R.O. Atabo, SAN & Company.
The first letter read:
“Letter of reinstatement of title covered by file No. KDL/01183 property properly described as No. 9 Abakpa GRA, Kaduna State: I am directed to refer to the above-mentioned Right of Occupancy and to inform you that His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, has, in the powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act 1978, reinstated the aforementioned title covered by file No. KDL/01183 lying and situated at No. 9 Abakpa GRA, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, subject to the strict condition of settling all outstanding fees and charges. While counting on your cooperation, accept the Director General’s esteemed regards.”
The second letter stated:
“Letter of reinstatement of title covered by file No. KDL/20580 over a piece of land along Degel Road, Unguwan Rimi GRA, Kaduna; Further to your letter of plea on the revocation of your title over the subject property, I am directed to inform you that His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, has, in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act 1978, reinstated your rights and interest over the piece of land along Degel Road, Unguwan Rimi GRA, Kaduna, subject to the strict condition of settling all outstanding fees and charges. Accept the Director General’s esteemed regards, please.”
