Victory for Emir Sanusi: Kano Celebrates as Court Restores His Throne
Residents of Kano State are rejoicing after the Court of Appeal in Abuja overturned a lower court ruling that had invalidated the reappointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano. This landmark decision has sparked celebrations among his supporters, as it restores his position, which had previously been contested.
The Appeal Court dismissed the case brought by Bayero, which sought to challenge Emir Sanusi’s reinstatement, ruling that it lacked legal merit.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Mohammed Mustapha, nullified the decision made by Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court on June 20, 2024. The High Court had annulled the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which had paved the way for Sanusi’s reappointment.
The Appeal Court ruled that Justice Liman did not have the jurisdiction to invalidate the actions taken by the Kano State Government under the 2024 Emirates Council Law. The court also ruled that the case filed by Alhaji Aminu Agundi, a kingmaker who had challenged Sanusi’s reappointment, was flawed and did not meet the requirements for a fundamental rights case.
The court emphasized that the dispute, which was related to chieftaincy matters, fell outside the purview of human rights law and that the Federal High Court was not the appropriate venue for such cases. It pointed out that chieftaincy issues should be handled at the state level, as outlined in the Nigerian Constitution.
Additionally, the court ordered a fresh hearing of a separate case filed by the deposed 15th Emir, Bayero, to contest Governor Abba Yusuf’s decision to remove him from the throne. The case was referred back to the Chief Judge of the Kano State High Court for reassignment to a new judge for speedy resolution.
The Appeal Court’s ruling has been widely celebrated by Emir Sanusi’s supporters, who view it as a significant victory for both the Emir and the integrity of Kano’s traditional institutions. This decision is expected to bring closure to the ongoing legal dispute surrounding the chieftaincy matters in the state.
It is important to note that in May 2024, the Kano State House of Assembly passed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, which Governor Yusuf assented to on the same day. This law not only reinstated Sanusi as Emir but also removed the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, and downgraded the emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye to district heads after their emirates were merged.
Governor Yusuf had also reappointed the 14th Emir, Mohammadu Sanusi II, who was previously dethroned by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje in 2020, under a law that split the Kano emirates into five.
Following Sanusi’s reappointment, Alhaji Dan Agundi, one of the influential kingmakers, along with the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, challenged the decision in court. They sought an order to maintain the status quo, which temporarily allowed Bayero to remain in power.
