The Federal High Court in Kano has issued an order halting the enforcement of the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law by the Kano State Government.
This order, granted by Justice Mohammed Liman, came in response to an application by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate.
Court documents related to the case have garnered widespread attention.
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In a surprising move, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, four years after his dethronement by former Governor Umar Ganduje. Furthermore, the governor removed five emirs appointed by Ganduje, issuing them a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate their official residences and palaces. They were instructed to transfer all responsibilities to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The ongoing legal battle over the Emir’s position involves various respondents, including the Kano State Government, the House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the State Security Service. The court has directed that all legal proceedings be served on the Inspector-General of Police in Abuja.
Justice Liman’s ruling emphasizes maintaining the status quo ante the passage of the bill into law until the fundamental rights application is heard on June 3, 2024. Additionally, an interim injunction has been granted restraining law enforcement agencies from implementing the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law to ensure peace and security in the state.
The repealed law, previously known as the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, had established Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi Emirates alongside the Kano Emirate. With its repeal, these newly created emirates have been dissolved, reinstating the Kano Emirate under a single ruler.
