A prominent figure within the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Hon. Attom Magira, has taken legal action against the Borno State government following the demolition of his high-rise shopping complex in Maiduguri. Situated on Sir Kashim Ibrahim Road, opposite the State low-cost housing estate, the four-storey building was razed to the ground by state authorities, sparking a legal battle between Magira and the government.
Through his legal representative, Hamza N. Dantani Esq of Kayode Ajulo & co. Castle of law, Hon. Attom Magira emphasized his commitment to upholding the rule of law by seeking redress through the court system. Dantani revealed that legal proceedings had been initiated at the Borno State High Court under the case name Alhaji M. Attom Magira v. Borno State Urban Planning and Development Board (BOSUPDB); Suit No. BOHC/MG/CV/8/2025, aimed at halting any further destruction of the property until the court could determine the validity of any alleged town planning infractions.
The demolition of Magira’s plaza was perceived as a targeted move orchestrated by the Borno State Government, purportedly at the behest of Governor Babagana Zulum’s administration. While recent demolition activities by the state authorities have targeted unauthorized structures and residential buildings in various parts of the state capital, including Maiduguri, the specific reasons behind the destruction of Magira’s property remain undisclosed. Despite mounting speculation, no official statement has been released by the government regarding the controversial demolition.
In a scathing indictment of the government’s actions, Dantani condemned the demolition as not only an attack on Magira’s personal investment but also as a blatant disregard for legal protocols, judicial oversight, and the economic prospects of Borno State at large. He decried the demolition as a politically motivated act of vendetta, underscoring the prevailing culture of impunity that seemed to characterize the current administration’s governance approach.
According to Dantani, “the demolition of my 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.
