State Govt Demolishes Multi-Million Naira Plaza Owned By Governor’s Staunch Critic
The building, located at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road, opposite State low-cost housing estate, Maiduguri, was demolished during the week, SaharaReporters was told.
The Borno State government has demolished a multi-million naira plaza belonging to the family of a chieftain of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Attom Magira.
The building, located at Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road, opposite State low-cost housing estate, Maiduguri, was demolished during the week, SaharaReporters was told.
Magira, a former All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial aspirant in the 2019 elections, is known as a leading opposition figure in the state.
He has been vocal in challenging Governor Babagana Zulum’s policies.
Earlier, on January 24, 2025, the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board (BOUPDB), wrote to the politician, notifying him of a notice to revoke a development permit earlier issued to him.
However, his lawyers wrote back to the agency with necessary documents and payment receipts.
“We wish to state categorically that the facts contained in the Board’s demolition notice are not the true state of facts and are misleading. First off, contrary to what is contained in the Board’s demolition notice, our client’s building has only four floors (a ground floor and four floors), so there is no illegal 5th floor” as falsely stated in the letter.
“Also, our client obtained approval for the entire building, including the multi-purpose hall. Further, the fence surrounding our client’s building properly aligns with the property line. The photos of the building and video evidence will prove these facts.
It is then curious, if not mysterious, that the board has invoked Section 51 (supra) to demolish a part of our client’s building when he has not flouted any development permit/building permit laws and has obtained all the requisite permits necessary for the building.
“In accordance with the provisions of the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board Law which the Board has invoked to justify its demolition notice, our client, being dissatisfied with the demolition notice, hereby invokes Section 52 of the law thereof and appeals against the Board’s revocation of development permit no. BSUPDB/DC/2194.
“Pursuant to his constitutional right to fair hearing jealously protected by Section 36 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), our client would like to be afforded the opportunity to state his case and defend his constitutional right to immovable property equally guaranteed by Section 44 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended). Consequent upon the above, our client hereby asks for a stay of execution of the demolition notice pending when all the legal procedures stipulated in Section 52 of the Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board Law is adhered to.”
The Governor had earlier in February ordered the arrest of Attom over a billboard sponsored by supporters of the “YES TO MERGER” campaign, which called for a merger of political parties in the state.
The billboard, featuring Magira’s image and the slogan “Say Yes To Merger,” was reportedly destroyed by unidentified individuals.
He was subsequently charged before the State High Court of Justice with the Borno State government as the complainant.
The opposition member was also accused of saying ‘Yes to merger’, “knowing that same was likely to cause a breach of public peace”.
The first count had read: “That you, Attom Magira Tom ‘m’ 43′ yrs old, on or about the 22/12/2024, at about 2000 hrs at Bulumkutu along Maiduguri-Kano Road, Maiduguri, which is within the jurisdiction of this honorable Court, did commit an illegal act, to wit; falsely personated His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Borno State, in that you mounted your picture on a Bill-Board and addressed yourself as HE ATTOM MUH’D MAGIRA and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 97 of the Penal Code Law of Borno State, 2023.”
Count Two read, “That you, Attom Magira Tom ‘m’ ’43’ yrs old, on or about the 22/12/2024, at about 2000 hrs at Bulumkutu along Maiduguri-Kano Road, Maiduguri, which is within the jurisdiction of this honorable Court, did commit an illegal act, to wit; inciting public disturbance, in that you mounted your picture on a Bill-Board with the inscription ‘SAY YES to MERGER, knowing that same was likely to cause a breach of public peace and you thereby committed an offence punishable under Section 79 of the Penal Code Law of Borno State, 2023.”
The charges were filed by Hauwa Abubakar Isa, Attorney General of Borno State and others in the Attorney-General’s Chambers, Ministry of Justice, Borno State.
