Following an order of a federal high court to nullify the dethronement of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and the subsequent re-installation of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir, the Kano state government have vowed to challenge the ruling at the appeal court.
On Thursday, June 20, 2024, Justice Abdullahi Liman, ruling on a suit filed by a member of the former Kano Emirate, Aminu Babba Danagundi, who challenged the removal of Ado Bayero said, “I hereby order that every step taken by the government is hereby nullified and becomes null and invalid and that this does not affect the validity of the repealed Emirates Law but actions taken by the governor which include the assenting to the law and the reappointment of Sanusi.
“I have listened to the audio of the governor both in Hausa and English after assenting to the law, and I am convinced that the respondents are aware of the order of maintaining status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motions on notice in the court.
“Having been satisfied that the respondents are aware of the court order; the court, in the exercise of its powers, set aside the action because it is in violation of the court’s order. I think it is a very serious matter for anyone to flout the orders of the court and go scot-free with it.”
Justice Liman also suggested that his order was a result of hasty decisions by the Kano state government and their choice to ignore his earlier order mandating all sides to maintain status quo till the determination of the suit.
In response, however, the state Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, said his interpretation of the judgement meant Sanusi was still emir.
The commissioner stated, “The Kano State Government acknowledges the ruling by the Federal High Court regarding the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 and views the same as upholding the rule of law.
“By the ruling of the Court, it has unequivocally reaffirmed the validity of the law passed by Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State on Thursday 23rd May 2024 by 5:10pm.
“This part of the judgement is very fundamental to the entire matter. A further implication of the ruling is that all actions done by the government before the emergence of the interim order of the honourable court, are equally validated. This means that the abolishing of the five emirates created in 2019 is validated and the deposition of the five emirs is also sustained by the Federal High Court.
“By implication, this means that Muhammadu Sanusi II remains the emir of Kano. The judge also granted our application for the stay of proceedings until the Court of Appeal deals with the appeal before it on jurisdiction.
“Happily, the signing of the law and the reinstatement of His Highness, Emir Muhammad Sanusi II, were done on 23rd May 2024 before the emergence of the interim order which was served on us on Monday 27th May 2024.
“Happily, the signing of the law and the reinstatement of His Highness, Emir Muhamamad Sunusi II were done on 23rd May 2024 before the emergence of the Interim Order which was served on us on Monday 27th May 2024.”
“Following this Court’s ruling, Kano State Government has directed the State Commissioner of Police to remove the deposed emir of the 8 metropolitan local governments from the Government property where he is trespassing as the Government has already concluded arrangements for the general reconstruction and renovation of the property including the demolishing and reconstruction of the dilapidated wall fence with immediate effect.”
