The Kano State High Court has issued a restraining order against the Federal Government, stopping the continuation of the ongoing railway project from Kano to Daura and onwards to the Niger Republic on land belonging to residents of the Kuyan Ta Inna community in Kano state.
BusinessDay reports that the court, presided over by Justice Usman Na Abba, ruled that any such construction must follow due legal process, including consultation with landowners and the provision of adequate compensation.
The injunction came in response to a suit filed by the Kano Property Agent Development Association (KAFADA), which represents affected landowners in the area.
The suit names the Federal Ministry of Works, the Federal Ministry of Transport, and the compensation consultant as defendants, accusing them of attempting to issue what it describes as “incommensurable” compensation to property owners.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Usman Baito, stated that the court’s ruling affirms that moving forward with the railway project on community land without following appropriate legal procedures would constitute a breach of the Nigerian Constitution.
Baito added that the court emphasised the necessity of thorough consultation, transparency, and equitable compensation before any land can be lawfully acquired for such a major project.
“The judgement reinforces the rights of the Kuyan Ta Inna residents,” Baito said. “Any attempt to sidestep these procedures is not only unlawful but a direct violation of the constitutional rights of the people”, he explained.
Isa Jibrin Isa, chairman of KAFADA, acknowledged the community’s willingness to cooperate with the
He noted that the property owners are not opposed to the railway development but are insisting that all actions must be carried out within the bounds of the law.
Isa noted that the community is open to dialogue and ready to sign a compensation agreement, but only if it is based on fair valuation and in line with legal provisions, adding that the members of the community deserve justice, not exploitation.”
Efforts to reach representatives of the Federal Government or the project contractor were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
