Gov Sani returns Abacha family lands seized by El-Rufai

The Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has reinstated two pieces of land located in two different places in Kaduna City to the family of the late military Head of State, General Sani Abacha, two years after they were revoked and seized by former governor Nasir el-Rufai.

Specifically, the two pieces of land are situated at No. 9 Abakpa GRA, Kaduna, measuring 2,284 m², covered by Kaduna State Certificate of Occupancy No. 30575, and No. 1 Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi, GRA, Kaduna, measuring 3,705 square meters, covered by Kaduna State Certificate of Occupancy (C/O) No. 11458.

Meanwhile, the Abacha family lawyer, Reuben Atabo (SAN), told journalists that the Right of Occupancy (RO) of the two pieces of land were revoked in 2022 and seized by the immediate past governor of the state, el-Rufai.

The state government had placed a public advertisement on April 28, 2022, saying, “This is to inform the general public that His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, has, in the exercise of the power conferred on him under the Land Use Act, 1978, revoked Titles to plots of land within Kaduna metropolis for various contraventions of terms and conditions of Right of Occupancy.”

According to Atabo (SAN), the name of Sani Abacha was number 34 on the published list for the revocation of the land.

Subsequently, Atabo approached the High Court of Justice of Kaduna State in Suit No. KDH/KAD/465/2021 and Suit No.

KDH/KAD/509/2022 respectively, for claims of embarrassment to the Abacha family’s name in the publication, among other claims.
However, in his wisdom, Governor Sani, in two letters dated December 10, 2024, through Mustapha Haruna, Deed Registrar, on behalf of the Director General, Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), reinstated the titles of the lands, asking the title holders to pay outstanding fees on ground rent.

The letters were addressed to Mohammed Sani Abacha, care of R.O. Atabo, SAN & Company.

The first letter read: “Letter of reinstatement of title covered by file no. KDL/01183 property properly described as No. 9 Abakpa GRA, Kaduna State: I am directed to refer to the above-mentioned Right of Occupancy and to inform you that His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, has, in the powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act 1978, reinstated the aforementioned title covered by File No. KDL01183 lying and situated at No. 9 Abakpa GRA, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State. Subject to strict condition of settling all outstanding fees and charges. While counting on your cooperation, accept Director General’s esteem regards.”

The second letter read: “Letter of reinstatement of title covered by file No. KDL/20580 over a piece of land along Degel Road, Unguwan Rimi GRA, Kaduna: Further to your letter of plea on the revocation of your title over the subject property, I am directed to inform you that His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, has, in the exercise of powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act 1978, reinstated your rights and interest over the piece of land along Degel Road, Unguwan Rimi GRA, Kaduna, subject to the strict condition of settling all outstanding fees and charges. Accept the Director General’s esteem regards, please.”