The Federal High Court in Kano has issued a notice of consequences to the State Commissioner of Works, Marwan Ahmed, for allegedly disobeying court orders.
The court told Ahmed that “failure to comply with the court’s order could lead to a finding of contempt and imprisonment.”
The court issued an order on 29th September, restraining the Kano State Government from interfering with the properties of the applicants located at Kano Eid Ground, Kofar Mata, Kano.
It was gathered the order was not considered serious.
The order came after the judgment in which the Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Simon Amobeda, ruled that the Kano State Government and the Attorney General of the state should jointly pay the sum of N30 billion to the applicants for demolishing their properties and thereby violating their fundamental rights.
The state government, however, appealed the judgment arguing that the entire land housing the properties in question belongs to the state.
The counsel representing the Incorporated Trustees of Massallacin Eid Shop Owners and Traders Association and other 55 Applicants, Dr. Nuraddeen Ayagi, approached the court to request that the Commissioner of Works be cautioned about the repercussions of disobeying the court order.
He told the court that Ahmed has continued to enter and tamper with his clients’ properties, in spite of the court judgment.
Ayagi said disregarding a court order undermines the integrity and authority of the judiciary, and such actions will not be taken lightly.
He further said the court expects full compliance with its orders, and any further disobedience will result in appropriate legal consequences.
The court agreed with the submission by the applicant’s lawyer and served the Works commissioner with a notice of consequence (of disobeying court orders).