Justice Hannatu Balogun of Kaduna State High Court has fixed April 4, 2022 for the Abacha family to prove their ownership of Durbar Hotel PLC.
The family has dragged the Kaduna State Government to court over alleged illegal demolition of the property.
Durbar Hotel, allegedly belonging to the family of the late SHead of State Sani Abacha, had filed a suit over alleged plans by the state government to take over the property despite pending appeal on the matter at the Supreme Court.
The defense Counsel, Mustapha AU (SAN) represented by Sule Umar had on Thursday, told the court that they have filed a case for change of counsel.
“We are asking for a new date because we are already working on the defence,” he said.
The lead counsel to the Durbar Hotel owners, Dr. Reuben Atabo (SAN) told the court that energy was being wasted by the defendants for proposing an appeal on a matter that has been ongoing for the past two years.
“But we are ready to prove our case by next sitting,” Atabo said.
Atabo and seven other lawyers have teamed up to secure Durbar Hotel for the family of the late military ruler.
Justice adjourned the further hearing on the proof of case by the Counsel to Durbar Hotel PLC to April 4, 2022.
The hotel, located along Muhammadu Buhari Way (WAFF road) by Independence Way in Kaduna metropolis, is demanding a declaration that it is the titleholder of the parcel of land measuring about 5.378 hectares and covered by Kaduna State Certificate of Occupancy No 17789, Kaduna North Local Government Area.
A declaration that the demolition of the plaintiff’s property situates and lying at General Certificate of Occupancy of 7th May 1990 by the Kaduna State Government is unconstitutional, illegal, null, and void.
The hotel is also asking the court for an order of injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, privies, and whosoever from transferring, assigning or selling in any way part of the property.
