The Kano State Government in North West Nigeria has reacted to the Appeal Court Judgement over the Chieftaincy Tussle in the state.
The Kano Division court of Appeal sitting in Abuja had in a Judgement vacated the High Court order that nullified the reappointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.
The Appeal Court ruled that Bayero’s case, which sought to challenge Emir Sanusi’s position, lacked merit.
In a judgement, a three-member panel of the court of Appeal, led by Justice Mohammed Mustapha, voided the June 20, 2024, decision of Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court, which invalidated the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024 that facilitated Sanusi’s reappointment.
The appellate court held that, Justice Liman was bereft of the jurisdiction to nullify the steps the Kano State Government took pursuant to the 2024 Emirates Council Law.
The court held that, a fundamental rights enforcement suit that was filed by an aggrieved kingmaker in the state, Alhaji Aminu Dan Agundi, which the high court judge relied upon to issue the order, was incompetent.
In a swift reaction, the Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Kano State Barrister Haruna Dederi expressed satisfaction with the Judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal, regarding the Emirate Council matter involving His Highness Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II and other parties.
According to Dederi, the verdict overturns earlier decisions by the Federal High Court and validates the government’s lawful actions regarding the chieftaincy appointments and reforms in the state’s traditional institutions.
He said, “the ruling reaffirmed Kano state government’s commitment to justice, fairness, and adherence to due process in its efforts to modernize traditional structures while preserving the cultural heritage of Kano State.”
Dederi explained that, “the judgment further clarifies the rightful jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, underscoring the constitutional boundaries of the courts in such affairs.
“The decision by the appellate court to void previous Judgments that questioned the state’s lawful appointments underscores the correctness of our actions and strengthens our resolve to continue reforms for equitable representation and inclusive governance.”
The Kano Attorney General noted that, “all decisions, pronouncements, and orders made by the Federal High Court Kano have been quashed and set aside by the Court of Appeal.
The law enacted by the Kano state House of Assembly relating to Emirates and all actions taken by His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Kano State pursuant to that law have been fully upheld and legalized by the Court of Appeal.
Therefore, in strict adherence to the rule of law and in defense of democracy, all public and private institutions, as well as individuals, are required to comply with the Court of Appeal decision and act accordingly to give full effect to the Judgment.”
He urged all parties to respect the court’s Judgment to join hands with the government to promote peace, unity, and progress in our beloved state.
“Let us continue to prioritize the collective good of Kano State above all individual interests.”
Recall that the Kano State House of Assembly had on May 23, last year, enacted the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which the state Governor, Abba Yusuf, assented to on the same day.
Governor Yusuf among other things, deposed the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and also reversed the status of the emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye emirates to that of district heads, following the collapse of their emirates.
The Governor also, reappointed the 14th Emir of Kano, Mohammadu Sanusi II, who was deposed in 2020 by the immediate past Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who had also enacted the law that splits the Kano emirates into five.
One of the kingmakers, Alhaji Dan Agundi, and the Sarkin Dawaki Babba who was dissatisfied with Sanusi’s reappointment
challenged the decision in court and secured an order for the maintenance of status quo, so as to allow the deposed 15th Emir, Bayero, to remain on seat.
Comments are closed.