Kaduna State Government has agreed with the management of Durbar Hotel to settle out of court.
The hotel said to belong to the family of the late military dictator, Sani Abacha, is located along Muhammadu Buhari Way in Kaduna, and has been under litigation between the Federal Government and the Abacha family since 2001.
Justice Hannatu Balogun of the Kaduna State High Court was informed on Wednesday of plans to settle out of court.
The judge was told that a meeting had held between the two parties.
The Kaduna Property Development Agency had demolished a part of the hotel.
Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, had also revoked the hotel’s Certificate of Occupancy, saying its management owed the state a ground rent of 19 years.
However, Abacha’s family lawyer, Reuben Atabo, said the management of the hotel and the government had begun an amicable settlement of the matter.
Mr Atabo also told the court that the state and its agents had kept off the property as directed by the court.
“We had a meeting in the office of the Attorney General of the State yesterday (Tuesday). We have started talking in an amicable way,” he said.
“Two, your Lordship, the court order has been complied with. No more presence of government officials and its agencies around the property.
“We wish to request another date to bring back the progress report of the settlement to the court.”
Counsel for the state and Director of Litigation, Sanusi Usman, confirmed Atabo’s statement.
Justice Balogun adjourned the case till April 7 to hear report on the settlement.
