Kaduna State Governor, Uba Sani, has returned two parcels of land to the family of late military ruler, General Sani Abacha.
This decision comes two years after the properties were revoked by his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai, in what was then described as a crackdown on land contraventions.
The reinstated properties are located in prime areas of Kaduna city.
One is at No. 9 Abakpa GRA, covering 2,284 square meters, while the other is at No. 1 Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi GRA, spanning 3,705 square meters.
Both properties are documented under Kaduna State Certificates of Occupancy Nos. 30575 and 11458 respectively.
The revocation, which occurred in 2022, sparked outrage from the Abacha family, who described it as a calculated embarrassment.
Reuben Atabo, SAN, the family’s lawyer, expressed their relief at the latest development.
He confirmed that the properties had been reinstated through official letters dated December 10, 2024, signed by Mustapha Haruna on behalf of the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS).
“Governor Uba Sani has displayed wisdom and fairness in this matter,” Atabo said.
The letters directed Mohammed Sani Abacha, who represented the family, to settle any outstanding ground rent for the properties.
The saga began in 2022, when then-Governor Nasir El-Rufai announced the revocation of numerous land titles across Kaduna State.
In a public notice published on April 28, 2022, the state government cited violations of terms and conditions under the Land Use Act of 1978.
Among the listed names was General Sani Abacha’s, appearing as number 34.
This inclusion reportedly brought embarrassment to the family of the former Head of State.
In response, the Abacha family filed two lawsuits in the Kaduna State High Court.
The first, suit No. KDH/KAD/465/2021, and the second, suit No. KDH/KAD/509/2022, sought redress for the public disgrace caused by the publication of the revocation notice.
Despite the legal battle, it was Governor Uba Sani’s intervention that ultimately resolved the dispute.
Observers believe the governor’s decision marks a departure from El-Rufai’s controversial policies on land management.
While El-Rufai justified the seizures as necessary for urban development, critics argued they were high-handed and politically motivated.
One political analyst in Kaduna, who requested anonymity, said, “This reversal is not just about land; it’s about restoring the dignity of a powerful Nigerian family.”
The reinstatement of the Abacha family’s land has stirred mixed reactions among Kaduna residents.
Some have praised the move as a show of fairness, while others see it as a political gesture aimed at appeasing influential figures.
