by Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna

Magistrate’s Court sitting in Kings Road, Sabon Gari Zaria, presided over by Justice Yakubu Badamasi, has adjourned till January 31, 2022, on the case of illegal trespass and demolition of property filed by residents of Agwan Yusi in Zaria, in Kaduna State.

The case, which came up between Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) Zaria, and residents of Agwan Yusi Zaria for mentioning in court on Wednesday was, however, adjourned due to the absence of the two defendants in court: NCAT Zaria and Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Authority (KASUPDA).

Speaking to newsmen at the court premises, Counsel to the defendants, Barister Akume, said his clients were not in court because they were not served with the notice to appear in court. He, however, pledged to insist on their appearance in the next sitting.

Meanwhile, Counsel to the plaintiff submitted that the court should order for the arrest of the two defendants, if they failed to appear in court in the next sitting. 

Recall that Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai, had appeared on a National TV claiming that the residents had illegally encroached into the NCAT land without permission from the land owners, being the NCAT.

Meanwhile, the occupants of the demolished property said they have acquired the property through legitimate process and have their valid documents to prove their ownership. All the claimants, however, appeared in court with their Certificates of Occupancy (C-of-O).

It will also be recalled that KASUPDA, an agency of Kaduna State Government, went ahead and demolished over 160 houses in the area, despite pending court cases and some rulings in favour of the community. This prompted the community, which claimed to have valid and genuine certificates of occupancy, to approach the court for redress. Court adjourns suit between NCAT, Residents in Zaria, Kaduna.