The Federal High Court’s decision ordering the Kano State Government to pay N30 billion in damages to several traders for the destruction of their stores has been challenged by the Kano State Government.
In its ruling in the case brought by the Traders Association, the Kano-based Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Simon Anogede, referred to the government’s actions as barbarous and unlawful.
Instead of the N250 billion the traders sought from the government, the court gave them N30 billion in compensation.
The judge commanded that the money be paid right away.
The Kano State government claims, however, that it has challenged the decision because it was a “miscarriage of justice.”
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Haruna Isa Dederi, argued that the Land Use Act is unambiguous about the positions of lands in every state, hence the court erred in ruling in favour of the Traders Association.
According to the Land Use Act, the government is the sole owner of the land, hence he maintained that the court lacked the authority to even hear the matter.
