Court reinstates Bayero as Emir of Kano

Our reporter/ Federal High Court in Kano on Thursday set aside the Kano State Emirate Law 2024, which dissolved the five Emirates in Kano State.

Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman in his ruling set aside the action of Kano government, ordering parties to maintain status quo.

Though the judge refused the application to declare the amended Kano Emirate law null and void, he overturned all the actions taken by Governor Abba Yusuf after the controversial law was amended by the Kano State House of Assembly on May 23, 2024.

Justice Liman faulted the governor’s assent to the bill and the presentation of an appointment letter to Emir Sanusi on May 24, 2024 despite an order of court directing all parties to maintain status quo.

The judge said he listened to the statement of governor in the media after assenting to the law, and he was convinced that the respondents (the governor and Kano State House of Assembly) were aware of the order of maintaining status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motions on notice in the court.

Justice Liman said the mess in the state could have been prevented if the respondents complied with the court order, which would still have allowed them to carry out their assignments.

Recall that the Kano House of Assembly had repealed the law enthroning the 15th Emir and establishment of additional four emirate councils – Bichi, Rano Karaye and Gaya, by the immediate past governor of the state, Dr, Abdullahi Ganduje.

The incumbent governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf had implemented the repealed law by dethroning Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano to reinstall the dethroned 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi.

A kingmaker in the former Kano emirate, Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, had dragged the state government to challenge the propriety of the law and asked the court, through his counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), to declare it null and void.