161 Adamawa Shop Owners Sue Govt, Seek N8billion Compensation over Demolition

No fewer than 161 Demolished Shop Owners at the Jimeta Ultra Modern Market on Thursday, dragged the Adamawa State Government and 3 others to court, challenging the alleged demolition of their shops.

The plaintiffs, Abubakar Abdullahi and 19 others on behalf of 141 other shop owners dragged the Adamawa State Government, Attorney General and Commissioner Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Commerce and Industries and Urban Planning and Regional Development before the High Court presided by Justice Kaynson Lawanson.

In their suit, Abubakar and other plaintiffs averred that they are valid, legal, rightful, beneficial owners and subsisting holders of title to their respective shops by virtue of the letters of allocation individually issued to them.

The plaintiffs have asked the court to declare that the 1st defendant cannot lawfully revoke the plaintiffs' allocation made by it or its agents without serving the statutory notices as required by the Land Use Act, 1978.

They further sought for a declaration that the plaintiffs cannot be lawfully dispossessed of their lawfully acquired shops at the Jimeta Ultra Modern Market without payment of adequate compensation.

They are equally praying the court to declare that the forceful entry and demolifion of the plaintiffs' business premises on 17h September, 2025 is unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.

They sought for an order of the court mandating the detendants to pay a sum of N50,000,000 only as compensation for each of the plaintiffs' shops demolished.

Likewise, they sought for an order mandating the defendants to pay to the plaintiffs the sum of N8,050,000,000 only as the cumulative sum of the 161 shops demolished by the defendants.

They prayed the court to mandate the defendants to pay the sum of N300,000,000 only as general damages for the loss of business, inconvenience and deliberate harm caused the plaintiffs.

They further sought for an order of the court directing the 1st defendant to publish an apology to the plaintiffs in at least 2 national dailies for the unlawful demolition of the plaintiffs' properties.

When the case came up for mention, Lead Counsel to all the plaintiffs, M. N. Aliyu Esq, informed the court that the matter is for mentioned and that the plaintiffs have duly served all the defendants with their proceeses.

On his part, J.A. Waya (DCL), who appeared for the 1st and 2nd defendants prayed the court to adjourn the matter to enable them file their defence.

Addressing the court, I. S. Barde, Counsel to the 4th defendant, acknowledged the receipt of the process, while 3rd defendant had no legal representation at the time of the mention.

After the case was called, Justice Kaynson Lawanson adjourned the matter to the 11th February, 2026 for hearing.

Fielding questions from newsmen, M. N. Aliyu Esq, said that they took legal action so that the court will declare the demolition carried out by the government as null and void, and restore shops to their clients as well as pay compensation.

Likewise, speaking to newsmen, J. A. Waya, said that like any other Nigerians, the plaintiffs have the right to approach the court, saying that they were all aware that the government had given notices to shop owners that were not in line with the master plan.