Kano Shops Owners Receive N1bn Compensation

Ahmad Sorondinki in Kano

The Masallacin Eid Shop Owners and Trader Association (MEOTA) Kano State, has confirmed that the Kano State Government has released the sum of N1 billion to their members as part of the N3 billion out-of-court settlement for their demolished shops.

The shop owners dragged the Kano State Government to court, claiming damages of N30 billion as compensation for the demolition but later reached an out-of-court settlement.

Addressing a press conference in Kano yesterday, Mr. Maaruf Yakasai, alongside members of the traders association said that despite the payment, the MEOTA has petitioned the Kano State Police Command to investigate the criminal aspect of the demolition.

He added that given the psychological trauma untold hardship and untimely death suffered, the MEOTA has decided to write a letter of petition to the Nigeria Police on complaints of alleged criminal conspiracy, theft, and criminal misappropriation against that act while carrying out the illegal demolition.

Yakasai stated that “May 5, 2023, was the black day to the traders and owners of shops and thousands of people getting their means of livelihood in the area.

“At about 01:00 hours, after we all closed our shops and businesses, the democratically elected Government of Kano State, under the leadership of Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, without any notice or opportunity for our members to park their goods and other movable properties, with no iota of sympathy, demolished the structures/shops in the area.  

“Selfish individuals with criminal minds were also encouraged by the government to loot our properties as the demolishing was ongoing. They described our hard-earned properties as public properties and declared the same as free for all.

“Consequently, the suspects succeeded in destroying all the structures/shops/ goods and monies (cash) kept in some shops, rendering the victims helpless, poor, jobless without any justification whatsoever.

“The total estimated value of the properties lost and destroyed is N260 billion. Some of the victims lost their lives, and some are now patients with different sicknesses, including the killer ‘stroke’.

“The victims’ orphans and children are left with no parental care and attention, many are rendered homeless; poor or no education, medical care, because breadwinners are either dead or have lost their means of livelihood.

“We know as a fact that the government has the power to revoke any right of occupancy but only for overriding public interest. Also, a sufficient notice must be served and compensation paid before the revocation.”

“Dissatisfied with the act of the suspects, our client instituted an action seeking the enforcement of their fundamental right to own property enshrined under Chapter 1V of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) before the Federal High Court in suit No. FHC/CS/208/2023 between the Incorporated Trustees of Masallacin Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association and Kano State Government & Ors.”

He further explained that members of the association have suffered from psychological trauma as a result of the unlawful acts of the suspects either directly or indirectly.