The Kano State High Court has issued a significant ruling halting the ongoing construction of the Kano-Maradi railway project due to a land dispute involving residents of the Kuyan Ta Inna community. The court, presided over by Justice Usman Na Abba, issued a restraining order against the Federal Government, preventing the continuation of the railway project on land that belongs to the community.
The ruling, which came on April 7, 2025, follows a lawsuit filed by the Kano Property Agent Development Association (KAFADA), a group that represents the affected landowners in the region. The court’s order comes as a major setback for the multi-billion naira project, which aims to connect the northern Nigerian city of Kano to the southern part of Niger Republic, passing through the town of Daura in Katsina State.
The railway project, part of a broader regional plan to enhance trade and transportation links between Nigeria and Niger Republic, has been a key infrastructure initiative by the Federal Government. However, its implementation has faced significant opposition from local communities, who have raised concerns about inadequate compensation and the lack of proper consultation with landowners.
The court’s injunction is a direct response to these concerns, as KAFADA, which represents the affected landowners, claimed that the government had not followed the due legal process for acquiring land and compensating property owners. The plaintiffs argued that the compensation being offered was insufficient and failed to meet the value of the properties being taken.
Justice Usman Na Abba’s ruling mandates that any further construction of the railway on the disputed land can only proceed if the legal process is followed. This includes proper consultation with the affected landowners and the provision of adequate compensation that reflects the fair value of the properties being taken.
Barrister Usman Baito, the Counsel representing KAFADA, stated that the court’s decision was a victory for justice, affirming the importance of adhering to the Nigerian Constitution when carrying out projects that affect the rights and properties of citizens. He added that the ruling emphasizes the need for proper legal procedures to be followed when acquiring land for public projects, particularly in cases where the landowners’ interests are at stake.
“This ruling is a clear indication that the government must respect the rights of landowners and follow the proper legal processes. It is not enough to simply take people’s land for a project without ensuring that their rights are protected and that they are compensated fairly,” Barrister Baito said in an interview following the court’s decision.
The Kano-Maradi railway project has been a key part of Nigeria’s infrastructure development plans, aimed at improving regional connectivity and boosting trade between Nigeria and its northern neighbor, Niger Republic. The railway line, which is expected to significantly enhance transportation of goods and passengers between the two countries, is seen as a major step towards fostering economic integration within the region.
However, the project has faced considerable opposition from local communities, particularly those whose land is being used for the railway’s construction. The Kuyan Ta Inna community, located in the Kano State portion of the project, is one of the main areas where the dispute has arisen. According to KAFADA, the community’s land was taken without proper consultation with the landowners and without the provision of compensation that reflects the true value of the properties.
The association claims that the government has offered compensation that is far below the value of the land and properties affected by the project, describing it as “incommensurable” and unfair. The dispute has raised concerns about the lack of transparency in the land acquisition process and the need for more robust mechanisms to ensure that affected communities are properly consulted and compensated.
The court’s injunction has put a temporary halt to the project in the Kuyan Ta Inna area, although it is unclear how long the delay will last. The Federal Government and the Ministry of Transport have not yet issued an official response to the ruling. However, the government is likely to be under pressure to resolve the dispute quickly, given the strategic importance of the railway project for regional trade and transportation.
The injunction is also likely to have wider implications for other ongoing infrastructure projects across the country, particularly those that involve land acquisition from local communities. The ruling has raised awareness about the need for more transparent and legally sound processes when acquiring land for public use.
The court’s decision has sparked mixed reactions from various stakeholders. While local community leaders and rights groups have praised the ruling as a necessary step in protecting the rights of landowners, some have expressed concerns that the delay could set back the progress of the railway project, which is seen as crucial for economic development in the region.
“The delay in the Kano-Maradi railway project is unfortunate, but it is important to ensure that the rights of the people are respected,” said Aminu Hassan, a Kano-based public affairs analyst. “The Federal Government needs to find a way to resolve this dispute quickly while ensuring that the affected communities are fairly compensated for their land.”
Others have stressed that the issue is not just about compensation but also about ensuring that the voices of local communities are heard in major infrastructure projects. “The government needs to engage more with communities before embarking on projects that affect them. We cannot continue to ignore the concerns of ordinary people,” said Amina Bello, a civil society activist.
As the court ruling has temporarily halted the Kano-Maradi railway project in the affected area, the government will need to find a way to resolve the dispute with the Kuyan Ta Inna community. This will likely involve negotiations with landowners to reach an agreement on compensation and the legal process for acquiring land.
The case highlights the growing tension between large-scale infrastructure projects and the rights of local communities, and it is expected to spark further discussions on the need for comprehensive land acquisition laws that protect both the interests of the public and the rights of affected individuals.
The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for future projects in Nigeria, particularly those that involve land acquisition for public use. With the increasing importance of infrastructure development in the country, ensuring that legal and procedural safeguards are in place for landowners will be crucial to avoiding similar disputes in the future.
