Gombe Court Restores Mechanic Village Land to Emir General Integrated Ltd, Orders Demolition of Illegal Structures

I’mThe High Court No. 9 in Gombe, presided over by Justice Daurabo S. Sikkam, has delivered judgment in Suit No: GM/116/2026, affirming Emir General Integrated Ltd as the rightful owner of a 1.30-hectare parcel of land along Gombe Bajoga Road, adjacent to the NURTW office in Gombe L.G.A.

Our Reporter gathered that the judgment came after a protracted legal battle against Goundscope Construction Ltd, the Gombe State Government, the Attorney General of Gombe, and the Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport.

In her judgment, Justice Sikkam, after carefully reviewing the amended write of summons filed on August 30, 2025, alongside evidence and submissions from counsel representing both sides, declared that the plaintiff’s Certificate of Occupancy No. GM/15926 remains valid and binding.

The court condemned the actions of the state government and its officials in awarding contracts to Grandscope Construction Ltd, which led to the demolition of the plaintiff’s structures and unauthorized development on the disputed land, ruling such acts unlawful and tantamount to trespass.

In a sweeping order, the court issued a perpetual injunction restraining the defendants, their agents, or representatives from further interference with the plaintiff’s possession of the land.

The defendants were directed to evacuate all structures and items placed on the property.

Furthermore, the court awarded Emir General Integrated Ltd special damages of N15 million and general damages of N50 million, in addition to costs of action assessed at N7,200.

The judgment also imposed a 10% annual interest rate on the awarded sums until full liquidation by the defendants.

In the aftermath of the ruling, counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Sulaiman Abdurrahim, hailed the judgment as a triumph of justice.

He noted that under the Land Use Act, when government seeks to acquire land for public interest, it is legally bound to notify the rightful owner and pay compensation, especially where a Certificate of Occupancy exists. “Our client has a valid certificate of occupancy, yet the government failed to follow due process. They also disregarded two separate court orders that had earlier restrained them from continuing work on the land,” he stated.

Barrister Abdurrahim further urged Governor Alhaji Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya to comply fully with the judgment by paying the awarded damages of N65 million and vacating the property without delay.

He stressed that adherence to the court’s directive would not only restore justice to his client but also reaffirm the rule of law in Gombe State.

During the delivery of the judgment, neither counsel to Grandscope Construction Company, nor the representing counsel for the Gombe State Government, Ministry of Works and Housing, and the Attorney General were present in court.

Speaking to Judicial Analyst, Auwal Isa said “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 the Analyst further, the judgment reinforces the sanctity of Certificates of Occupancy and underscores the judiciary’s role in protecting citizens from government overreach and corporate intrusion.