In a dramatic turn of events, the Federal High Court in Kano on Thursday nullified the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, sparking a heated dispute with the state government asserting his legitimacy.
The court ruling, delivered yesterday, invalidated the Kano State Emirate (Repeal) Law 2024, which had reinstated Sanusi following his previous removal by the Ganduje administration in 2020.
Alhaji Aminu Babba-Dan’agundi, supported by his counsel Ibrahim Aliyu-Nasarawa, sought the court’s intervention to halt the law’s implementation.
Justice Muhammad-Liman declared all actions taken under the repealed law null and void but affirmed the law’s validity itself.
“I hereby order that every step or action taken by the respondents in pursuance of the Kano Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024 is set aside,” he declared.
Despite the court’s decision, the Kano State government swiftly rebuffed the ruling, maintaining Sanusi’s status as the Emir of Kano.
Attorney General Haruna Isa Dederi reiterated the government’s stance during a press briefing at the Government House, emphasizing their commitment to upholding the law.
“The ruling of the court has upheld the validity of the law passed by the Kano State House of Assembly,” stated Dederi, accompanied by the Secretary to the State Government, Baffa Bichi.
“By implication, Muhammadu Sanusi II remains the Emir of Kano,” he asserted.
Furthermore, the government issued directives for the removal of Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, from the Gidan Nassarawa mini palace for imminent demolition.
This move underscores the government’s resolve to proceed with its plans despite legal challenges.
“We have already finalized arrangements for the reconstruction and renovation of the property,” explained Dederi.
“This includes demolishing and reconstructing the dilapidated wall fence,” he added.
The court also granted a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of an appeal filed by the respondents at the Court of Appeal, transferring the case to another judge, Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court 3.
In response to the unfolding legal saga, the Kano State House of Assembly had dissolved all newly established Emirate councils on May 23, coinciding with Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf’s decision to reinstate Sanusi, a move that now faces heightened judicial scrutiny.
The controversy surrounding the Kano Emirship remains unresolved, as conflicting legal interpretations and government assertions clash amidst ongoing legal battles.