In a surprising move just 11 days before the end of his tenure as Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has revoked the Right of Occupancy of nine companies owned by former Governor Senator Ahmed Muhammed Makarfi. Additionally, the properties belonging to these companies are slated for demolition.
The official notice of revocation and withdrawal of the right of Occupancy was delivered to the officials of the affected companies in the state on Thursday at around 1 pm. The notice specifically targeted the Director of Cane Properties, Plot 11, Murtala Square, Doka, Alhaji Ibrahim Makarfi. He expressed that their legal team would respond accordingly to the revocation and withdrawal of the right of Occupancy.
The Director of Canes Properties sent a message to Senator Makarfi, stating that there are serious issues that require the intervention of Ustaz Yunus (SAN) to go to court and halt the actions of the State Government. He revealed that they had received nine revocation letters from the government.
The affected properties include five plots in Mogadishu, three plots on Kwato road, and the Doka plot. Separate letters of revocation and withdrawal of the right of Occupancy, signed by the Registrar of Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS), Mahmud Aminu, were sent to the concerned parties. The letters cited the Governor’s exercise of power under section 28 (5) (a) and (b) of the Land Use Act 1978 as the basis for the revocation. The reasons stated included the continued failure and contravention of the covenanted terms and conditions of the Right of Occupancy, specifically related to non-development.
This recent action by Governor El-Rufai has raised eyebrows and sparked discussions about its timing and implications. It remains to be seen how the affected parties will respond and whether any legal actions will be taken to challenge the revocation. As the countdown to the end of El-Rufai’s tenure continues, the outcome of this situation will undoubtedly be closely watched.