Kano emirate tussle: Court hears parties today

A Federal High Court in Kano State presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman will today hear arguments in the dispute over the emirship tussle in Kano Emirate.

Last Thursday, the court issued an interim injunction preventing the Inspector General of Police, the Kano State Commissioner of Police (CP), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the Department of State Services (DSS) from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law.

The order was granted following a motion ex parte by Aminu Babba Danagundi who holds the title of Sarkin Dawaki Babba.

The suit includes the Kano State Government, the Kano State House of Assembly, the speaker of the assembly, the IGP, the CP, the NSCDC and the DSS as defendants.

As a result of the order, the deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, returned to Kano on Saturday and has been holding court at the Nasarawa mini palace which is under the protection of military personnel, police, NSCDC and DSS operatives.

The state’s Deputy Governor, Aminu Abdulsalam, accused the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, of orchestrating Bayero’s return, but Ribadu denied this. Abdulsalam then apologised, saying he was misled.

Meanwhile, the reinstated Emir Muhammad Sanusi was escorted to the Gidan Rumfa palace by the deputy governor and other senior government officials. Since then, Sanusi has been receiving homage from 40 district heads who have pledged their allegiance to him.

The interim order states: “Parties are hereby ordered to maintain the status quo ante pending the hearing of the fundamental rights application.”

The court also ordered that: “In view of the constitutional and jurisdictional issues apparent on the face of the application, parties shall address the court on the same day at the hearing of the fundamental rights application fixed for June 3.”

The interim order was granted after hearing Ibrahim Aliyu Nasarawa, counsel for Aminu Babba Danagundi, supported by an affidavit sworn by Halima Abdulganiyu.

Danagundi sought an interim injunction suspending the implementation of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 as it affects the emirate council created by the 2019 law.