By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

KADUNA — The Sheriff and Civil Process Unit of the Kaduna State High Court has auctioned several properties linked to former federal lawmaker and businessman, Alhaji Mahmood Sani Sha’aban, following a court judgment arising from a longstanding debt dispute.

The auction, conducted on Monday, was carried out in compliance with court orders issued in a case instituted by businessman, Alhaji Umar Faruk Abdullahi, for recovery of funds allegedly advanced under a loan agreement.

Properties said to have been sold include a parcel of land and building behind Sha’aban’s residence opposite Therbow Secondary School, Zaria; a property on Plot 3, Churchill Road, GRA Zaria; another at Tulips, MTD Junction, Queen Elizabeth Road, GRA Zaria; and premises occupied by Mazari Nails Limited along the Kaduna–Kano Expressway.

Counsel to the judgment creditor, Mr. Abdullahi Yahaya, SAN, said the auction followed the judgment of Upper Sharia Court I, GRA Zaria.

He said the court ordered the attachment and sale of properties used as collateral to recover the debt.

“So far, properties in Zaria have been auctioned, while the remaining property in Kano will be sold in due course in line with court orders,” he said.

Court records show the dispute stemmed from a 2018 loan agreement in which funds allegedly amounting to $1 million and ₦11.2 million were advanced to Sha’aban.

The claimant said part of the loan had been repaid but an outstanding balance remained, prompting legal action.

On February 12, 2024, Upper Sharia Court I, GRA Zaria, ruled in favour of the claimant and ordered repayment of the outstanding sums, as well as attachment of collateral properties.

Although Sha’aban challenged the ruling and sought a stay of execution, court records indicate that the applications were unsuccessful at various stages of appeal.

In a ruling delivered on September 29, 2025, the appellate division of the Kaduna State High Court affirmed the lower court’s judgment.

The panel held that there was no sufficient evidence that the judgment creditor would be unable to refund the money if the appeal eventually succeeded, and reaffirmed the principle that a successful litigant is entitled to the fruits of judgment.

Meanwhile, the judgment creditor has also obtained leave to enforce the ruling on another property located at No. 48 Yusuf Road, off Hadejia Road, Bompai, Kano.

The Sheriff’s Unit has scheduled June 13 for the auction of the Kano property in compliance with a court order granted by Justice Faruk Lawan Adamu.

Efforts to obtain comments from Sha’aban or his legal representatives were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report.