Land Dispute: Court Orders Demolition of Illegal Structures, Awards N65 Million to Emir General Integrated Ltd
By Abubakar Abdullahi, Gombe
In a landmark ruling that reinforces the sanctity of property rights, the Gombe State High Court has declared Emir General Integrated Ltd the rightful owner of a 1.30-hectare parcel of land located along the Gombe-Bajoga Road, adjacent to the NURTW office.
Presiding over Suit No: GM/116/2026, Justice Daurabo S. Sikkam of High Court No. 9 resolved the protracted legal battle between the plaintiff, Grandscope Construction Ltd, and the Gombe State Government, represented by the Attorney General and the Commissioner for Works, Housing, and Transport.
In her judgment, Justice Sikkam affirmed the validity of the plaintiff’s Certificate of Occupancy (No. GM/15926) and condemned the actions of the state government and its agents, characterizing the awarding of contracts to Grandscope Construction and the subsequent destruction of the plaintiff’s structures as “unlawful and tantamount to trespass.”
To rectify the situation, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants and their representatives from any further interference with the land.
The court also ordered the immediate evacuation of all unauthorized structures and items placed on the property.
Furthermore, the judge awarded Emir General Integrated Ltd N15 million in special damages and N50 million in general damages, alongside costs of action assessed at N7,200.
The judgment stipulates a 10% annual interest rate on these sums until the total debt is fully liquidated.
Following the ruling, counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Sulaiman Abdurrahim, hailed the decision as a triumph of justice.
He emphasized that under the Land Use Act, the government is legally obligated to notify the owner and provide compensation when acquiring land for public interest, a process he argued was ignored in this case.
“Our client has a valid certificate of occupancy, yet the government failed to follow due process,” Barrister Abdurrahim stated.
“They also disregarded two separate court orders that had earlier restrained them from continuing work on the land” , he added.
Barrister Abdurrahim has formally called upon Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya to ensure full compliance with the court’s directive by facilitating the payment of the N65 million in damages and vacating the property without delay.
He stressed that such adherence is necessary to restore justice for his client and reaffirm the rule of law within Gombe State.
Although legal representatives for the state government and Grandscope Construction were notably absent during the proceedings, the impact of the judgment has been immediate.
Offering his perspective on the ruling, judicial analyst Auwal Isa noted that “This ruling not only restores ownership rights to Emir General Integrated Ltd but also sends a strong message against unlawful encroachment on legally acquired property.”
According to Isa, the decision serves as a significant check against government overreach and corporate intrusion, reinforcing the judiciary’s essential role in protecting the rights of citizens.