…As Court overturns law that led to his dethronement
Following yesterday’s Federal High Court ruling which nullified the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano, the State Government has instructed the State Commissioner of Police to promptly remove the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero from Nasarawa Palace, which is owned by the State.
Recall that, in a landmark ruling yesterday, the court nullified the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
?The court, which delivered a verdict yesterday, also nullified all the actions taken after the controversial reinstatement.
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The State government has announced that the properties are set to undergo demolition for the purpose of reconstruction.
Yesterday’s court ruling, presided over by Justice A.M. Liman, has brought to an end, the argument on the deposition of former Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, as the court ruled that the new Kano Emirate Repeal Law 2024 remains valid.
According to the ruling, all five Emirates of Gaya, Rano, Karaye, Kano and Bichi remained abolished.
While delivering the ruling today, Justice A.M. Liman held that the Kano Emirate Repeal Law 2024 remains the law and that it’s validity is intact, but actions taken after assenting the law when an order from the court was issued are voided.
Recall that Gov. Yusuf, on 23rd May, 2024 assented to the new law and reinstated the 14th Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi as the 16th Emir of one united Kano at the same time.
Justice Liman also granted a stay of proceeding and transfered the case to his learned brother of Court 3, Justice Amobeda. This bars all parties from taking any step to enforce the ruling till after determination of the appeal.
By this decision of the Federal High Court, the 5 former Emirs including that of Kano with 8 Local Government areas remained deposed and the defunct Emirates remained abolished.
It is therefore assertained that the 16th Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi II remains on throne and Aminu Ado Bayero remains deposed while the legal tussle continues.
However, close observers and pundits, commenting on yesterday’s ruling, pointed out that
the court voided all actions taken AFTER the interimorder was granted but also granted stay of proceedingsuntil the determination of an appeal by the Responents.
According to one Baffa Sanusi, who posted on his X handle yesterday, said that: ”This means: 1. The Law that sacked Aminu Ado, the Emirates Law2024 remains valid because it was assented BEFORE theinterim order.
2. The ruling has voided Sanusi’s enthronement becauseit came AFTER the order, for it being comtempteousagainst the court.
3.The ruling has effectively created a vacuum in theKano emirates. That is, Aminu Ado was duly deposed butSanusi was not duly enthroned.
4.Fourth and the most interesting part is that the court has granted stay of proceedings pending thedetermination of the appeal.
5. The stay bars all parties from taking any steps toenforce the ruling until after its determination on Appeal.
So in essence, Sanusi remains Emir and the legal battlemoves to the Court of Appeal”.
Other commentators also said the height of bias was for Justice Liman to insist that Governor Abba should have relied upon his order which went viral on social media platforms.
A sources close to the emirate, who expressed jubilation at the court’s decision, said, “This is a victory for justice and the rule of law. We are grateful to the court for upholding the rights of the emirate and its people”.
Meanwhile, Kano city remained calm yesterday evening despite the Federal High Court judgment. As of the time of filing this report, there was no report from any part of the eight metropolitan local governments of any violence or protest against the judgement.
VoL correspondent, who went around the city around 5:30 pm, noted that despite the judgment, residents were seen going about with their normal businesses, as the human and vehicular movement continued unhindered even around the main palace where Sanusi is staying.
It was, however, observed that armed policemen and other security personnel earlier deployed to some strategic places, including the main Palace and the mini-palace, were still on the ground to maintain law and order. It was also observed that business premises were also operating without any hindrance.
It was also observed that some supporters of the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero at the Nasarawa mini-palace were seen in groups exchanging greetings among themselves in reaction to the judgement.
Recall that the Kano Police Command had earlier on Thursday issued a statement reminding residents that the ban on processions, protests, and unlawful gatherings is still in force. The statement which was issued by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abdullahi Haruna, warmed that any person or group of persons found violating the order would be arrested and prosecuted.
The statement further urged residents to be law abiding and avoid acts capable of breaching peace in the State.
Meanwhile, some residents have expressed mixed feelings about the court judgement.
While some expressed happiness over the court judgement, others were indifferent, insisting that all Kano wants is peace at this time “when people are battling to get what they will eat.
“It has been more than one month now since Kano has not seen peace, people are tired of this situation,” one of the residents said.
