The Kaduna State High Court has ordered Governor Nasir El-Rufai and the state Attorney & Commissioner of Justice to refrain from further demolition of a property belonging to the family of Former Head of State, Sani Abacha – Durbar Hotel, pending the determination of the Motion on Notice.
Recall that on Wednesday, November 17, suspected men of the Kaduna State Urban Development Agency, KASUPDA, had demolished some parts of the Durbar Hotel located along Independence way, old Warf Road – Kaduna.
The hotel which is situated at Mohammadu Buhari way (former Warf Road) has been moribund for years.
Consequently, the management of the Durbar Hotel sued the state government, demanding the court to restrain the government from demolishing, taking over or tampering with the said property.
The suit also demanded the court to enforce N1billion damage on the state government for demolition as well as another N200million fine for a trespass on the said property.
The hotel management also demanded the court to declare the demolition of the property as illegal, null and void.
However, the court on Tuesday granted one of the plaintiff’s prayers: a restraining order on the property, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice.
“Having seen the documents filed, especially the affidavit of urgency and exhibits 3 and 4 ie the Court of Appeal judgements annexed, I grant an order restraining the Defendants from taking over the property or assigning same, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice,” Justice Hannatu Balogun, said.
The court, therefore, fixed February 3 for the commencement of the hearing.
