By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has reversed a policy enacted by his predecessor, Mal. Nasir El-Rufai, by returning two pieces of land previously revoked and confiscated from the family of the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha.
The lands, located at No. 9 Abakpa GRA and No. 1 Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi GRA, Kaduna, were initially seized in 2022 under El-Rufai’s administration. The properties, measuring 2,284m² and 3,705m² respectively, are covered by Kaduna State Certificates of Occupancy (C of O) No. 30575 and No. 11458.
The Abacha family lawyer, Reuben Atabo (SAN), disclosed that the rights of occupancy for the two lands were revoked through a public announcement in April 2022. The government cited violations of terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy in the revocation notice published in a newspaper on April 28, 2022. General Sani Abacha’s name appeared as number 34 on the list of affected individuals.
Following the revocation, Barrister Atabo filed legal actions (suit No. KDH/KAD/465/2021 and suit No. KDH/KAD/509/2022) at the Kaduna State High Court, citing embarrassment to the Abacha family name, among other claims.
In a recent development, Governor Sani, through two letters dated December 10, 2024, reinstated the ownership rights of the lands. The letters, issued by Mustapha Haruna, Deed Registrar, on behalf of the Director-General of the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), required the titleholders to settle outstanding ground rent fees.
The first letter, addressed to Mohammed Sani Abacha via R.O. Atabo (SAN & Co.), reinstated the title for the property at No. 9 Abakpa GRA, Kaduna. It stated:
“I am directed to inform you that His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, has exercised the powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act, 1978, to reinstate the title covered by File No. KDL/01183, located at No. 9 Abakpa GRA, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, subject to the condition of settling all outstanding fees and charges.”
The second letter, referring to the property on Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi GRA, similarly reinstated the title and outlined the condition of fee payment.
This move by Governor Sani is the latest in a series of reversals of policies enacted by his predecessor, including those related to school fee hikes and land reallocations. Over a year into his administration, Governor Sani has sought to review and amend several policies that had been considered harsh under El-Rufai’s tenure.
