A Federal High Court in Kano has ruled that the Kano State Government must pay a compensation of N30 billion to shop owners whose properties were demolished at Kofar Mata Eid praying ground in Kano city. The court made this decision in response to a motion filed by the Incorporated Trustees of Masallacin Idi Shop Owners, Traders Association, and 56 others, seeking enforcement of their fundamental rights and damages against the State Government for demolishing their shops.
Justice Simon Amobeda stated that the government’s action of forcefully demolishing and vandalizing the applicants’ shops without due legal process was illegal and unconstitutional. The judge ordered the Kano State Government and other respondents to jointly pay the applicants N10 billion as general damages for violating their fundamental rights to life and property. Additionally, the respondents were instructed to pay an additional N20 billion for punitive and exemplary damages.
As of now, there has been no response from the respondents regarding the court’s judgment.
