A Kano State High Court has declared the revocation and demolition of a multi-million-naira structure owned by Tiamin Multi Services Global Limited as illegal, awarding the company N2.6 billion in compensation and damages.

Justice Ibrahim Musa Muhammad (Karaye), who delivered the ruling on Wednesday, nullified the action taken by the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, which had revoked the company’s right of occupancy and demolished the property without notice or a fair hearing.

The court said it granted the damages after hearing the counsel to the plaintiff, Barr. Saidu Muhammad Tudun Wada, who instituted the case in 2019, during the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje

SolaceBase reports that the plaintiff in the suit is Tiamin Multi Services Global Limited, and the defendants are the Governor of Kano State, Kano State Government, Kano State Bureau for Land Management and Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Kano State

The disputed land, located along Court Road in Gyadi Gyadi, Tarauni Local Government Area, was already undergoing advanced construction for an ultra-modern hospital when the government moved to reclaim and demolish it in 2021. The company then sought redress in court, citing unlawful revocation and violation of constitutional rights.

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In his ruling, Justice Karaye held that the revocation, which was communicated via a letter dated September 3, 2021, from the Kano State Bureau for Land Management, was unconstitutional and contravened the Land Use Act.

“The purported revocation of the plaintiff’s right of occupancy… without notice at all is unconstitutional, null, void and of no legal effect whatsoever,” the judge stated.

He further ruled that the Certificates of Occupancy—LKN/COM/2017/116 (recertified as LPKN 1188), MLKN01622, and MLKN01837—remained valid and subsisting, affirming the company’s lawful ownership of the land.

Justice Karaye condemned the state government’s actions, particularly the forceful takeover and demolition of the structures during the pendency of the court case.

He described it as a blatant disregard for the rule of law.

The court awarded Tiamin Multi Services Global Limited N2.125 billion in special damages for development expenses, N500 million in general damages, and an additional N10 million as legal costs. It also ordered the immediate vacation of the premises by the defendants and barred them from any further interference with the property.