Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has returned two properties previously revoked by the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai to the family of late military dictator General Sani Abacha.
The properties, located at No. 9 Abakpa GRA and No. 1 Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi GRA in Kaduna, were seized by the state government in April 2022 due to alleged violations of occupancy terms under the Land Use Act.
In two separate letters dated December 10, 2024, signed by Mustapha Haruna on behalf of the Director General of the Kaduna Geographic Information Service, the Abacha family was instructed to settle outstanding fees and charges before the properties are reinstated.
The letters state: “His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, has, in the powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act 1978, reinstated the aforementioned title… subject to the strict condition of settling all outstanding fees and charges.”
Reuben Atabo, the lawyer representing the Abacha family, confirmed the reinstatement and called it a significant development. He noted that the previous administration’s actions had caused “embarrassment” to the Abacha family, leading to legal action against the Kaduna State government.
The Abacha family, through Atabo, welcomed the decision, calling it a gesture of fairness and justice.
The reinstatement represents a reversal of El-Rufai’s administration, which had cited “various contraventions” as the reason for revoking the properties.