Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani, has restored ownership of two properties to the family of the late military dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha, which were revoked during the administration of his predecessor, Nasir El-Rufai.
The properties, located at No. 9 Abakpa GRA and No. 1 Degel Road, Ungwan Rimi GRA, were seized in 2022 due to alleged breaches of occupancy terms under the Land Use Act. Reuben Atabo (SAN), the Abacha family lawyer, confirmed the reinstatement on Tuesday, calling it a significant development that had previously caused “embarrassment” to the family and prompted legal action against the state government.
Governor Sani reversed the revocation in two letters dated December 10, 2024, issued by the Kaduna Geographic Information Service (KADGIS). The letters, signed by Mustapha Haruna, instructed the family to settle outstanding fees and charges for the reinstatement.
One letter stated, “His Excellency, the Governor of Kaduna State, has in the powers conferred on him under the Land Use Act 1978, reinstated the aforementioned title… Subject to strict condition of settling all outstanding fees and charges.”
The Abacha family welcomed the decision, viewing it as a gesture of fairness and justice, marking a notable shift from El-Rufai’s administration, which had cited “various contraventions” as the reason for the property revocation.
