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NNPP senatorial candidate sues Borno Govt for demolishing his shopping mall
The former 2023 Senatorial Candidate (Borno Central) on the platform of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hon. Attom Magira has sued Borno State Government over the demolition of his multi million naira shopping mall in the state.
The demolished property is a four-story commercial shopping complex and a multi-purpose hall located at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road, opposite state low-cost housing estate, Maiduguri.
Speaking on Saturday in a press statement, through his Lawyer and Human Rights Activist, Hamza N. Dantani Esq of Kayode Ajulo & co. Castle of law, Garki -Abuja, said: Hon. Attom Magira, who is a law-abiding citizen, had sought the protection of the court as the last hope of the commoner by instituting legal proceedings at the Borno State High Court in Alhaji M. Attom Magira v. Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board (BOSUPDB); Suit No. BOHC/MG/CV/8/2025 to prevent the unlawful demolition of his property until the court decides whether or not he breached any town planning rules.
He alleged that the demolition exercise was masterminded by the Borno State Government under the direct instruction of the present administration under the leadership of Governor Babagana Zulum.
Although, Borno State Government has not officially make it public on why it carried out the exercise, our Correspondent observed that this demolition was not the first time, as Government has carried out similar demolition of illegal structures and residential buildings for public interest.
But the human rights lawyer said “the demolition of his client’s Plaza is not just an attack on one man’s investment but a blatant disregard for the rule of law, judicial authority, and the economic future of Borno State.
“This brazen act, driven by political vendetta rather than lawful governance, exposes the alarming level of impunity that has become the trademark of present administration.
“Hon. Attom Magira is the lawful owner of the property described above, having been granted a statutory right of occupancy over the land and having duly obtained all necessary permits from the relevant state government agency, Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board (BOSUPDB).
“In compliance with all applicable laws, he paid all required fees and was issued development permit no. BSUPDB/DC/2194 over his statutory right of occupancy no. BO/86138. It is pretty interesting that during the entire construction phase of the property, BOSUPDB never raised any concerns about town planning violations.
“Beyond personal gain, Hon. Attom Magira’s investment was a source of livelihood for many people in Borno State, employing indigenes and residents in various capacities during construction and providing commercial space that would have boosted local businesses. In a state ravaged by Boko Haram terrorism, insecurity, and economic crisis, such an investment should have been welcomed and protected—not torn down in the name of political persecution.
“It was only after the completion of the building that the same BOSUPDB, acting under political influence, suddenly revoked the development permit issued to Hon. Attom Magira and gave him an impossible ultimatum: remove the “fifth floor” of your property or the whole property and demolish the multi-purpose hall within seven days or risk complete demolition, even though the property in question is a four-story building”. Dantani Stated.
More so he said: “The justification provided in BOSUPDB’s notice of revocation to justify this draconian directive cited provisions of section 51 of the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board Law, conveniently overlooking another provision of the same law that grants affected individuals the right to appeal such revocations. Hon. Attom Magira sought legal counsel, and his lawyers informed him that he had the right to appeal a revocation of the development permit.
“Consequently, Attom Magira invoked Section 52 of the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board Law, which allows an appeal against the decision of BOSUPDB, a procedure he duly activated and followed within the stipulated time. This appeal was served on BOSUPDB, but they did not respond. This step should have automatically stayed the execution of the revocation and demolition of his property, as is the law.
“The position of the law is clear: where a statutory provision stipulates a method or manner of discharging responsibility, that method must be strictly employed, and no other process must be adopted; see INEC & Ors. (1999) 8 NWLR (Pt. 614). In other words, where a law, like the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board Law in this case, lays down a procedure for doing a thing, there should be no other method.
“What is more, under his constitutional right to fair hearing jealously protected by section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), a citizen shall be allowed to state his case and defend his constitutional right to immovable property, guaranteed by section 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
“In addition to the appeal process mentioned above, Hon. Attom Magira, as a law-abiding citizen, equally sought the protection of the court as the last hope of the commoner by instituting legal proceedings at the Borno State High Court in Alhaji M. Attom Magira v. Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board (BOSUPDB); Suit No. BOHC/MG/CV/8/2025 to prevent the unlawful demolition of his property until the court decides whether or not he breached any town planning rules. The court duly adjourned the matter to the 22nd of April 2025 for a hearing, and BOSUPDB was served with the processes and the hearing notice of the next adjourned date.
“In any democratic society governed by the rule of law, this would mean that the government must hold off any further action until the court determines the rights of parties, as the constitution empowers the institution to settle disputes between individuals and institutions. The courts have consistently held that actions taken on pending legal proceedings that purport to prejudge the issues that are to be tried and destroy the res are intrinsically objectionable as constituting a usurpation of the proper functions of the court, see Bello v. A.G, Lagos State (2007) 2 NWLR (Pt. 1017) 115”. The human rights activist said.
The Honourable Minister of State for Defence, Dr. Bello Muhammed Matawalle, has engaged in a high-level security meeting with a leading Chinese manufacturer of advanced anti-terrorism and high-tech defence equipment, aimed at enhancing Nigeria’s defence capabilities.
The meeting, which took place in China, underscores the Federal Government’s commitment to modernising the nation’s security apparatus to combat insurgency and other threats.
According to a statement signed by the minister’s Personal Assistant (Media), Ahmad Dan-Wudil, and made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday, the engagement focused on formalising a strategic partnership through a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the Chinese firm and the Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria (DICON).
The collaboration is expected to play a pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s security sector, aligning with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision for a comprehensive overhaul of the country’s defence framework.
The MoU outlines a robust partnership, with the Chinese company committing to significant investments in Nigeria’s defence infrastructure.
According to the statement, Key components of the agreement include the transfer of cutting-edge defence technology, the establishment of local manufacturing capabilities for advanced military equipment, and capacity-building initiatives to enhance the technical skills of Nigerian personnel.
“This move is seen as a step towards building a self-reliant and globally competitive military-industrial base.
Dr. Matawalle emphasised that the partnership represents a landmark achievement in Nigeria’s defence modernisation agenda.
“This collaboration will not only strengthen our fight against terrorism but also position Nigeria as a regional leader in defence technology,” he stated.
The minister highlighted the government’s determination to leverage international partnerships to address the nation’s evolving security challenges.
Under the terms of the agreement, new production lines will be established for various ammunition types, including 7.62x51mm ball cartridges, 7.62x51mm blank cartridges, 9x19mm pistol cartridges, and machine gun ammunition.
Additionally, manufacturing workshops and facilities will be set up in Kaduna and Kachia, Kaduna State, to produce essential defence components such as brass casings and bullet jackets.
The partnership extends beyond production, encompassing the maintenance and upgrading of existing military hardware, servicing of battle tanks, and the provision of military engineering services.
These efforts are expected to enhance the operational readiness of the Nigerian Armed Forces, enabling them to respond more effectively to security threats within the country and across the region.
The minister’s visit to China follows a series of engagements with international partners, including the United States and Saudi Arabia, as part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to strengthen bilateral defence ties.
In a recent meeting with the United States Africa Command (AFRICOM), Dr. Matawalle called for increased support in intelligence sharing and counterterrorism efforts, underscoring the need for global cooperation to tackle insecurity.
The agreement with the Chinese firm has been hailed as a critical step towards achieving President Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, which prioritises security, economic development, and private-sector involvement.
The minister reiterated the government’s openness to foreign investment in critical sectors such as defence, steel, and energy to drive technological advancement and job creation.
Gamblers are staking millions of dollars to predict who will emerge as new pope as betting sites place odds on the candidates as the Catholic Church cardinals sweat to pick a new pontiff.
Polymarket, an American cryptocurrency-based betting site, has placed odds on candidates who will emerge.
Similarly, Kalshi, another American betting site, is coordinating predictions on who emerges as the new Catholic pope.
On Polymarket, over $21 million worth of bets have been staked in the conclave election, in which Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin and Filipino Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle are considered the leading candidates.
Mr Parolin leads with 27 per cent odds, while Mr Tagle comes second with 23 per cent odds. Matteo Zuppi, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Peter Erdo came third, fourth and fifth with 11, 10 and 7 per cent odds, respectively.
On Kalshi, where over $8milliom has been staked, Mr Parolin leads with 29 per cent odds, followed by Mr Tagle’s 22 per cent odds and Mr Pizzaballa’s 10 per cent odds.
This comes as 133 cardinals from across the globe commenced a conclave to decide who would emerge as the new pope on Thursday.
Though conclave elections have been highly unpredictable for years, gamblers throw in thousands of dollars for a possible kill should their candidate emerge.
In 2013, contrary to projections on the possible emergence of Cardinal Angelo Scola, who was then regarded as the favourite, Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio emerged as Pope Francis.
On Wednesday, thick black smoke billows from the Sistine Chapel chimney at the end of the first meeting of the cardinals, signalling that no pope has been elected.
The election of the 267th pope, which commenced on Wednesday. A new pope will poll a two-thirds majority to emerge during the election process.
Then, white smoke will be released from the Sistine Chapel chimney.
President Bola Tinubu has mandated the formation of a Presidential Task Force aimed at eliminating numerous checkpoints that impede free movement.
Ambassador Musa Nuhu, Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to ECOWAS, revealed this initiative during a visit to the Nigeria-Benin Republic border in Seme on Wednesday.
“We are commencing with the Seme-Badagry Corridor. A committee has been established under the auspices of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, and we will soon begin addressing this matter.
“We have taken note of all the concerns raised, and I assure you that the Nigerian government will tackle the other issues mentioned subsequently.”
Numerous complaints have surfaced regarding the excessive checkpoints along the Badagry-Seme corridor, which adversely affect the seamless movement of individuals and goods between Nigeria and the Benin Republic.
Ambassador Nuhu emphasized, “This is the most trafficked border in West Africa regarding the flow of goods, people, and services. If free movement is to be effectively implemented in West Africa, it will be evident at this border.”
Motorists attending the meeting expressed their frustrations about the numerous checkpoints and the extortion practices by security personnel along the route.
In response, Omar Alieu Touray, President of the ECOWAS Commission, stated that any fees paid by motorists should be accompanied by official receipts.
He expressed concern that the proliferation of checkpoints and the extortion of citizens within member states undermine ECOWAS’s goal of fostering a more integrated region.
“While we must inspect passengers and road users, we should move beyond arbitrary charges that lack receipts. If payments are necessary, they should be properly documented.
“It is one thing to request that someone open their bags for inspection, but it is entirely different to demand payment that is not receipted.”