The Kano state government has commenced payment of N3billion compensation to owners of Masallacin Idi shops demolished by the state government.
The shop owners, under the aegis of Masallacin Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association, had dragged the state government to High Court in Abuja, presided over by Inyang Ekwo for demolishing their property.
The court, having heard from both sides and having considered the extent of the damages over the property, granted judgment in favour of the plaintiff by ordering the state government to pay punitive and exemplary damages to the tune of N30 billion.
The government and the traders’ association subsequently reached a consensus through an application of settlement, dated December 12, 2013 and filed on December 13.
Speaking at a press conference in Kano on Thursday, the lawyer of the association, Ma’aruf Yakasai, disclosed that the state government had paid N1 billion out of the N3 billion.
However, the association called on police to launch criminal investigation against the Kano state government over the demolition.
According to Mr Yakasai, despite the agreement to pay the N3 billion, the association deemed it fit to appeal to police to launch the criminal investigation due to high degree of damage the decision had caused.
“We the members of the Association have suffered from psychological trauma as a result of the unlawful acts of the suspects either directly or indirectly, destruction and loss of their property worth billions of naira which were stolen in addition to loss of business and means of livelihoods.
“It is against the above background that we are appealing to your good office to cause a criminal investigation to be conducted in this case with a view to ensuring that justice is done to us.
“We are asking your good office to conduct a thorough criminal investigation into the matter, especially with respect to the offences against property and humanity, as some have passed on, some are sick as a result of the torture, the rich are now poor.
“We need the criminal aspect to be investigated and the guilty to face the full wrath of the Law. We also urge your good self to consider and build on the judgment of the Federal High Court, Kano Division that described the action of the suspects as illegal, unconstitutional and barbaric,” Mr Yakasai said.
He said they are ready at the appropriate stage of the investigation to provide all the available evidence and records in their possession to support the allegations against the state government.
