A Kaduna based businesman, Alhaji Bello Barau has petitioned the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Public Complainant Commission (PCC) and the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to save him from the Kaduna State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KASUPDA) from demolishing his property.
In the petition dated March 31, 2021, and signed by his counsel, Chiedu Gwam Esq., Barau said sometime in 2011, he applied for building approval from KASUPDA to commence development by building a line of shops at No 3, Maccido Road, Usman Muazu Close, Malali GRA, which was granted via approval letter dated 3rd June, 2011.
He said after successful completion of the project, he received a letter dated 23rd August, 2012 from the authority withdrawing the planning permission.
The petitioner said he challenged the unlawful withdrawal of the permission before the High Court of Kaduna state in suit No KDH/KAD/ 720/2012 and prayed the court for perpetual injunction restraining the defendants an order compelling (KASUPDA) to restore the planning permission to him which the court upheld after a period of seven year’s trial on 14th October, 2019.
The petitioner said the judgement which was not set aside or appealed also restrained the defendants that were represented in court during the period of trial to restore the planning permission and restrained them from an attempt to demolish the plaintiff’s shopping complex at the said address.
The petitioner said he was surprised and shocked to receive a letter dated 9 March, 2021 from KASUPDA that his planning permission s/no 4877 had been withdrawn and given 21 days to remove the structure worth over thirty N35 million, with a threat to demolish and remove the property already marked by the authority.
