THE Kano State government has said the judgment delivered by a Federal High Court presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, earlier today, shows Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II is still the Emir of Kano.
The state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi, said this during a press conference held at the Government House Thursday evening.
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 abolition 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 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 judgment 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.”
Meanwhile, the state government has instructed the Commissioner of Police to remove the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, from the Nasarawa GRA mini palace where he currently resides.
Barrister Dederi announced that the government has finalised plans for the extensive reconstruction and renovation of the property, including the immediate demolition and rebuilding of the deteriorating wall fence.
This directive comes just hours after a Federal High Court’s ruling on the substantive suit, which upheld the Kano Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024 and nullified all actions taken by Governor Abba Yusuf following the law’s passage.
A portion of the government’s statement reads: “Following the court’s ruling, the Kano State Government has directed the Commissioner of Police to remove the deposed emir from the government property where he is trespassing.
“The government has already concluded arrangements for the general reconstruction and renovation of the property, including the demolition and reconstruction of the dilapidated wall fence with immediate effect.”
Eighteen-Eleven Media