A Kano State High Court has barred Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje from revoking Kano Golf Club’s land.
The court, presided over by Justice Zuwaira Yusuf, also ordered the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) not to interfere with the land.
The judge ordered the parties involved in the matter to maintain status quo until further pronouncement at the next sitting, which is 5th June, 2023.
By then, Ganduje would have handed over power to the Governor-Elect, Abba Kabir Yusuf.
Recalled how Global Tracker reported that Ganduje planned to revoke the title of Kano Club, the oldest golf course in West Africa, where the first aircraft in Nigeria landed on November 1, 1925.
The 26-hectare club was established in 1903 at the beginning of colonial rule, with golfing starting in the course in 1908.
According to documents, the Kano State Bureau for Land Management wrote to the club managers, saying the title of the club, issued on April 6, 1979, for a term of 40 years expired on April 6, 2019.
“Kindly refer to the Land Use Act No. 6 of 1978 which specified terms and conditions governing land allocation and issuance of Certificate of Occupancy.
“In this respect, I wish to notify you that the term of your title above has expired with effect from 6th April, 2019, having been issued on 6th April, 1979 for a term of Forty years,” a letter signed by Ibrahim Naabba and copied to the governor read.
However, trustees of the Golf Club filed a suit to challenge the Kano state government.