By Stanley Onyekwere
A Federal High Court, sitting in Minna, has restrained the Niger state government from demolishing Ashrab Energy International Limited, located in the state.
Recall that the Niger state government had on May 30th, 2023 marked Ashrab located at Keteren-Gwari in Minna, with occupancy Nos. NGS/913 and NGS/8821 for demolition, just barely 24 hours after the Governor of Niger state was sworn-in on May 29th, 2023.
However, in the court order dated 14th June, 2023 and marked NSHC/MN/147/2023, the defendants were listed as the Governor of Niger state, the Attorney general of the state, Niger state ministry of land and housing, and Niger state urban development board have been asked to steer clear of any action regarding the parcel of Ashrab Iand.
It noted that the permit issued to the company on 28th October, 2021 by the Niger state Urban Development Board should not be withdrawn.
Also, the court presided over by Justice Mariyam Ismaila, issued an interim injunction restraining Governor Mohammed Bago (1st defendant) or any of his agents from interfering with or stopping Ashrab energy International limited from carrying out its legitimate business.
According to the court, the Governor of Niger state and his agents have no constitutional rights to demolish or revoke the C or O of Ashrab without establishing the proof for the action.
The order stopped the governor with his agents from carrying out any action that will be against the constitutional rights of the plaintiff.
The suit read: “An order of interim injunction restraining the 1st defendant or any of his agents, assigns and or privies from interfering with the plaintiff’s constitutional rights to own the parcel of land and all the improvements there on, situate at Keteren -Gwari, Minna, Niger state.
“The certificate of occupancy covered by certificate of occupancy Nos. NGS/913 and NGS/8821 pending the determination of the motion on notice.
“An order of interim restraining the 4th defendant from withdrawing the development permit issue to the plaintiff (Ashrab energy International limited) on 28th October, 2021 pending the determination of the motion”.
However, it was learnt that the name of the owner of the filling station is Alh Dantani Abubakar Hassan l, a strong supporter of Alh Idris Mohammed Malagi Who contested for the primary of APC Governorship prior to the 2023 general election.
It was also gathered that the state government had also revoked all land allocation in the state by the previous administration.
