Kano govt kicks as court removes Sanusi as Emir

The Federal High Court in Kano nullified the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano, igniting a fresh wave of controversy in the state.

Despite the ruling, the Kano State government quickly issued a statement insisting that Sanusi remains the emir. They also ordered the removal of Aminu Ado Bayero from the Gidan Nassarawa mini palace, where he had been residing since his dethronement, to make way for the building’s demolition.

The court ruling came after Alhaji Aminu Babba-Dan’agundi, represented by his counsel Ibrahim Aliyu-Nasarawa, filed a motion to restrain the state from implementing the new Kano State Emirate (Repeal) Law 2024. This law, which repealed the 2019 Emirate Council law, resulted in the dismissal of all emirs, reinstating Sanusi to replace Bayero.

Delivering the verdict, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad-Liman declared all actions taken by the state government under the new law null and void, although he upheld the law itself. He stressed the importance of adhering to court orders, criticizing the respondents for not maintaining the status quo as directed earlier.

However, the state government, led by the Attorney General Haruna Isa Dederi, reiterated that the court’s validation of the new law meant Sanusi’s reappointment stands. They directed the police to evict Bayero from the palace for its imminent renovation.

“The court ruling reaffirms the validity of the new law and the actions taken before the interim order are validated. This means Muhammadu Sanusi II remains the emir of Kano,” Dederi asserted.