Yusuf Bello| Lawyers of the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi (II), on Tuesday said they will take legal action if the state authorities fail to release him within the next 24 hours.
The lawyers, lead by Abubakar Mahmoud gave the warning at a press briefing in Abuja as the deposed Emie was being moved from Loko Development Area of Nasarawa State to Awe Local Government.
The Kano government on Monday dethroned Sanusi as the Emir of Kano for what it called, “total disrespect to the office of the governor”, among other allegations.
However, on Tuesday, Mahmoud said the government never gave Sanusi any opportunity to defend himself against the charges and described the dethronement as “illegal, unconstitutional and a clear abuse of power”.
He also condemned the banishment of the monarch and his forced evacuation from the palace by the police.
He said, “This action, in our view, is illegal and unconstitutional. The Kano State Emirate Council Law which was recently enacted by the Government of Kano State does not give the State Executive Council or the Governor of Kano State the powers to unilaterally remove the emir.”
“Section 13 of the Kano Emirates Council Law 2019 cited in the letter of deposition empowers the Governor to depose an Emir only after due inquiry and in consultation with State Council of Chiefs.
“We are not aware of such due inquiry nor are we aware that the Kano State Council of Chiefs was at any time summoned to any meeting much less discuss the removal of the Emir or give any advise to the Governor on the deposition.
“Muhammadu Sanusi II was the Chairman of the Council and if such meeting was summoned, he would have been aware. He would have informed us.”
According to Mahmoud, the choice of location by the state government “was intended to cause maximum trauma and distress” for the former emir, adding that the team has been unable to speak with Sanusi since he was taken to Nasarawa state.
“Be that as it may, the decision to challenge the removal is solely that of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II. At this moment no such instruction has been given to us,” he said.
“According to instructions we received from the Emir through his Chief of Staff, we are directed to take legal action to challenge the legality of the Emirs detention and banishment.
“The archaic practice of banishment of deposed Emirs, a colonial practice has no basis under Nigerian law or the Constitution. We are totally perplexed at the resort to this practice in present-day Nigeria by its political leaders.
“We call on the authorities, in particular the Inspector General, the Director General of Department State Services and Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice to ensure the immediate release of HH Muhammadu Sanusi II so that he can be reunited with his family.
“We are concerned about the personal safety and security of HH Muhammdu Sanusi II and wish to call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the International Community to bring their influence to bear to ensure that HH Muhammadu Sanusi regains his liberty immediately and to guaranty his safety and security.
“The legal team of HH are working both in Kano and Abuja and unless he is released immediately, we will be taking appropriate legal action.”
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