The Kano State Government has said the ruling delivered by a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, earlier yesterday, shows Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II is still the Emir of Kano.
The State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isah Dederi, said this during a press conference held at the Government House yesterday.
He said, “Today 20th June 2024, the Federal High Court No. 1, Kano had passed its ruling in respect of the case before it. I have the honour, on behalf of His Excellency Governor Abba K. Yusuf and the Kano State Government, to address you once again over the lingering litigation arising from the abolishing of the five emirates and deposition of the former emirs, including the deposed Emir of 8 metropolitan local governments.
“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 the Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State on Thursday 23rd May, 2024 by 5:10 pm. This part of the judgement is very fundamental to the entire matter.
“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.”
Earlier, the Federal High Court sitting in Kano decreed that the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law of 2024, which annulled the five emirates within the state, stands as a valid statute.
The court, however, said all measures initiated by the Governor of Kano State, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, enforcing the same law were null and void.
In its ruling yesterday, the presiding judge, Justice Abdullahi Liman, stipulated that even though Governor Yusuf had not been officially served the directive (order) of his court at the time of reinstating Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, the governor had attested to his awareness of the said directive.
Liman underscored the impropriety of the governor’s disregard for information concerning the directive disseminated through social media channels.
The Defendants, while acknowledging that they had not been formally served, were cognizant of the directive through social media platforms.
The repudiation of social media as a medium for information sharing is deemed erroneous.
The court stands prepared to annul any actions taken in defiance of its directives.
By opting for subjective and arbitrary decisions, the defendants have found themselves entangled in difficulties.
Every action undertaken by the defendant in implementing the law is rescinded, although this ruling does not extend to the law’s validity itself.
“In consideration of the matter at hand, the law retains its legal status, but all activities conducted in furtherance of the law are invalidated,” the judge said.
Consequently, he referred the case to his federal high court counterpart, Justice Simon Amobeda, for further adjudication.
*Kano gov orders eviction of deposed Emir Ado-Bayero from Nasarawa palace
Meanwhile, the Kano State Government has instructed the Commissioner of Police to remove the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, from the Nasarawa Emirs’ cemetery, where he has been residing since May 25.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, said the government has finalised arrangements for the comprehensive renovation of the property.
This entails the immediate demolition and reconstruction of the dilapidated perimeter wall.
He said, “In alignment with the court’s decision, the Kano State Government has instructed the State Commissioner of Police to expel the deposed Emir of the eight metropolitan local governments from the government premises where he is unlawfully encroaching, as he has already completed preparations for the extensive refurbishment of the property, including the swift dismantling and reconstruction of the deteriorated boundary walls.
“I convey my felicitations and beseech the honourable residents of Kano State to uphold tranquillity and commemorate the triumph of justice in Kano.”
