Governor Abdullahi Ganduje-led government of Kano State has declared that the former Emir of the state, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, remained banished.
The state government stated this in response to the Tuesday judgment of the Abuja Federal High Court, which declared that the banishment was illegal and awarded N10 million to him as compensation.
According to the presiding judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere, the Kano State government other respondents comprising the police, the Department of State Security (DSS) and the Attorney-General of Kano State, should pay N10 million as compensation to Sanusi and also tender a public apology to him in two national dailies.
The court further held that the Emirate Council Law, 2019, which was relied upon by the government in banishing the Emir, was in conflict with the Nigerian Constitution 1999 as amended, and therefore, is null and void.
However, in its response to the judgment, the state Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Musa Lawal, in an interview on Wednesday with a Kano-based online news platform, Solace, argued that the Nigerian Constitution recognises both traditions and customs and that they should be protected.
According to him, going by the customs and tradition as enshrined in the state’s laws, Sanusi stands banished. He added that the government would do everything possible to protect the custom and traditions of the people of Kano.
Lawal said, “Where a person that is part of the emirate decides to destroy the tradition and custom and do only things that he deems fit, will not be allowed.
“For over 100 years, it has been the tradition and custom in our clime that when an Emir is deposed, he is banished to another community and there was nothing unusual in the case of Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
“We reject the ruling of the Federal High Court and as far as the government of Kano State is concerned, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II remains banished.”