Recall that the state government has marked houses in Salanta layout for demolition on the grounds that the previous administration sold them to the owners illegally. The land was allegedly carved out of Kano State Polytechnic.

In court papers, the judge, Justice S.A. Amobeba, stopped the Kano government from demolishing the applicant’s property located at No. 41 and 43 Salanta, along BUK Road, Kano, while ruling on a motion ex-parte filed on behalf of one Saminu Muhammad on Friday.

Joined as respondents in the suit are Attorney-General of Kano State, Solicitor General of Kano State, governor of Kano State, Kano State government and Kano State Bureau for Land Management.

Others are the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA), Inspector-General of Police, Nigeria Police Force, Commissioner of Police, Commandant General of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The court after listening to the motion moved by counsel for the plaintiff, Prof. Nasiru Aliyu (SAN), also ordered accelerated hearing of the substantive suit.

“That order of this court is hereby made in the interim restraining the respondents by themselves, agents, servant or proxies whatsoever called from encroaching, trespassing, entering, invading, demolishing or revoking the applicant’s titles or doing any other act in respect of the applicant’s property No. 41 and 43 situate at Salanta, along BUK Road, Kano, covered by Certificate of Occupancy No. KNMLO8228 and Certificate of Occupancy No. KNMLO8229 pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion”.

The judge has postponed the case until July 10 in order to hear the substantive lawsuit.