Kaduna State Governor Uba Sani has returned two properties to the family of late military dictator General Sani Abacha, which were previously revoked by the administration of former Governor Nasir El-Rufai.
The properties, located at No 9 Abakpa GRA and No 1 Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi GRA in Kaduna metropolis, were seized by El-Rufai’s government in April 2022 over allegations of 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 (KADGIS), the Abacha family was instructed to settle outstanding fees and charges before the properties could be reinstated.
The letter stated: “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 in a statement, calling it a significant development. He said the previous administration’s actions had caused the family “embarrassment,” leading them to pursue legal action against the state government.
Atabo welcomed the decision, describing it as a gesture of fairness and justice. The reinstatement marks a departure from El-Rufai’s administration, which had cited “various contraventions” as the justification for revoking the properties.
