A Kaduna State High Court has fixed January 30, 2023, for ruling on an application by the Kaduna State Government over the suit by the family of late Head of State, Sani Abacha, challenging the alleged illegal demolition of Durbar Hotel PLC.
Justice Hannatu Balogun fixed the date after listening to the Kaduna State Government’s application seeking a stay of proceeding on the suit for compensation to the Abacha family over the demolition pending its appeal.
Counsel to the state government, Abdulhakeem Mustapha (SAN), had brought the stay of execution pending an appeal in number CA/KD/CV/2022 against the ruling of the high court on October 25 dismissing its preliminary objection against the hotel’s suit.
However, counsel to the hotel, Reuben Atabo (SAN) asked the high court to dismiss the application, contending that the state government failed to file their appeal within 14 days.
The Abachas, through the hotel, are demanding a declaration that they are the titleholders of the parcel of land on Muhammadu Buhari Way (Warf Road), Kaduna North, Kaduna State measuring about 5.378 hectares and covered by Kaduna State certificate of occupancy No 17789.
The hotel is further seeking a declaration that the demolition of its property situated and lying at the General Certificate of Occupancy of 7th May 1990 by the Kaduna State Government is unconstitutional, illegal, null and void.