Court orders sharing of inheritance, dismisses son’s claim over late father’s property

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has directed the Upper Shari’a Court in Kofar Kudu, Kano Municipal, to proceed with the distribution of inheritance among the family members of the late Alhaji Bala Rabi’u, who passed away 20 years ago. The ruling came after one of the deceased’s sons, Ahmad Bala Rabi’u, failed to […]

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has directed the Upper Shari’a Court in Kofar Kudu, Kano Municipal, to proceed with the distribution of inheritance among the family members of the late Alhaji Bala Rabi’u, who passed away 20 years ago.

The ruling came after one of the deceased’s sons, Ahmad Bala Rabi’u, failed to provide credible evidence supporting his claim that he had legally acquired two family properties located at No. 69 and 70 Kuroda, Kano, valued at N20 million, through installment payments before his father’s death.

Ahmad’s claim was strongly contested by his seven siblings, represented by Barrister Nuraini Jimoh SAN, who argued that their father was critically ill at the time of the alleged transaction and could not have executed a valid sale. They also asserted that the signature on the sale documents was forged, and that there was no legal basis for their brother’s claim of ownership.

In his judgment, Justice Yusuf Ubale dismissed Ahmad’s claims and ordered that the properties be returned to the estate of the late Alhaji Bala Rabi’u for fair distribution among the rightful heirs.

• Army cautions personnel against extravagant lifestyle after retirement
• Benue launches digital emergency platforms to tackle humanitarian crises

The court also ordered Ahmad to pay the sum of N30 million as compensation for unlawful occupation and use of the properties over the years, and an additional N2 million for wasting the court’s time and causing distress to his siblings.