AKK Gas Project : Court stops construction works in Kano

The Buhari led administration Ajaokuta, Kaduna, Kano gas pipeline project has suffered a setback, as a Federal High Court sitting in Kano granted an order restraining the Federal Government, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation and two others from digging and construction of gas wells on plots and farmlands situated at Magami, Dawakin Kudu local government area of Kano pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.

Solacebase recalls that President Muhammadu Buhari last year inaugurated a $2.8 billion 614 km gas pipeline project that will transport  natural gas  from Obiafu in Rivers State, Escravos in Delta State and Lekki in Lagos State, are being connected through Ajaokuta, Kaduna to Kano states

The presiding judge , Justice Sa’adatu Ibrahim Mark said the order was granted upon a motion exparte filed on February 12^th, 2021.

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Solacebase reports that the suit was filed by Abdullahi Adamu and 35 others against the Federal Government, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, ORA Egbunike & Associates and Minister of Petroleum Resources.

The presiding judge, Justice S.I Mark said the defendants should be put on notice and shall within 7 days of service of this order along with motion on notice respond to same.

The judge who granted the order on Wednesday then adjourned the matter to April, 15^th, 2021.

Speaking with Solacebase after securing the order, Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barr. Abubakar Ibrahim Ishaq said the acquisition of the lands was illegal as the required provisions of the law for land acquisition was ignored.

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According to him, the law requires a written notice of acquisition,  valuation of the property to be acquired and fair hearing must be accorded to the persons whose lands would be acquired, all these were ignored.

‘’Hence we are asking the court to declare their action of the plaintiffs in acquiring the plots and farmlands as invalid without legal effect what so ever, with the failure to observed the required provisions of the law and also restrain the defendants perpetually from dealing with the acquired properties, said Barr. Ishaq.

The Counsel noted that the defendants proved adamant as they were first served with pre-action notice of 30 days , although they lately sent a letter and the letter confirmed their failure to follow due process