The Kaduna State High Court in Dogarawa, Zaria, has adjourned the demolition case at Ungwan Yusi, till the 9th of March, due to the indisposition of the trial judge.
Counsel to the plaintiffs, Barrister Sunny Akanni, who briefed journalists on the situation, said that the six cases slated for mention regarding the Graceland demolition had not received attention since it was filed.
Barrister Akanni said that even though the Nigeria College of Aviation and the Kaduna State Urban Planning Development Agency, KASUPDA, has not filed a statement of defence, the Court will still proceed with the hearing on the matter.
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According to him, “Even though, Aviation has not filed a single paper, KASUPDA has filed a Memorandum of Appearance, but, not filed a defence. We are waiting for what they will say. As lawyers, we call it Statement of Defence,
“None of them, KASUPDA, Aviation and the Rector, have not filed a Statement of Defence. This means that they have no defence to our actions, and it means by the next time we come, and we will take a date for proof, which means we will do the case without calling upon them because they have not filed anything. They have been served since December, and this is February. They have only twenty-one days to respond to our papers, they have not done that, so this is where we are today.” He said.
Barrister Akani further stated that they would follow the rule of law to ensure that justice is done.
“There are so many things that can be done. Our request before the Court is that KASUPDA and Aviation should put back the property the way they met it, that is what we are asking for, we are telling them, rebuild, you demolished, rebuild, and there is the process to get things done if they don’t do that, there is a way we will do it”.
The defence counsels for the Nigeria College of Aviation and KASUPDA were not in Court to respond.
However, the victims said they are demanding justice, as life has never been the same since their properties were demolished in October 2021.
