A Federal High Court in Kano State has quashed the dethronement of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and four other emirs.
The court also nullified all the actions taken after the controversial reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
The presiding judge, Justice Abdullahi Liman, said, “I hereby order that every step taken by the government is hereby nullified and becomes null and invalid and that this does not affect the validity of the repealed Emirates Law but actions taken by the governor which include the assenting to the law and the reappointment of Sanusi.
“I have listened to the audio of the governor both in Hausa and English after assenting to the law, and I am convinced that the respondents are aware of the order of maintaining status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motions on notice in the court.
“Having been satisfied that the respondents are aware of the court order, the court, in the exercise of its powers, set aside an action because it is in violation of the court’s order, I think it is a very serious matter for anyone to flout the orders of the court and go scot free with it.”
The legal challenge was brought by Aminu Babba Danagundi, a kingmaker in the former Kano emirate, who argued that the law was null and void.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, had however criticized the decisions of the Federal High Court and National Industrial Court on the emirship tussle in Kano State, stating that chieftaincy matters are within the exclusive jurisdiction of the High Court of each state.
The development comes amid a complex and contentious emirate tussle in Kano State, with conflicting court orders and political interventions.
The situation has sparked protests and tensions in the state, with supporters of the affected emirs demanding justice and fairness.
