A Federal High Court in Kano has issued an order preventing the Kano State Government from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law. Justice Mohammed Liman granted the order following an application by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate.
The legal documents related to this case have rapidly circulated online, intensifying the public’s focus on the unfolding situation.
On Thursday, the Kano State House of Assembly dissolved the four newly created emirate councils in the state. This decision followed deliberations during the House’s plenary session. In a dramatic turn of events, Governor Abba Yusuf reappointed Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, four years after his dethronement by former governor Umar Ganduje. Concurrently, Governor Yusuf deposed five emirs appointed by Ganduje, giving them a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate their official residences and palaces. They were also instructed to transfer all responsibilities to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
In the latest legal challenge regarding the Emir’s position, reports indicate that the respondents in the fundamental rights case include the Kano State Government, the House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the State Security Service. The court has mandated that all legal documents be served on the IGP in Abuja.
Justice Liman’s ruling stated, “That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the fundamental rights application.
“In view of the constitutional and jurisdictional issues apparent on the face of the application, parties shall address the court on same at the hearing of the fundamental rights application which is fixed for the 3rd of June, 2024.
“In order to maintain the peace and security of the state, an interim injunction of this Honourable Court is granted restraining the fifth to eighth respondents (CP, IGP, NSCDC, and DSS) from enforcing, executing, implementing and operationalising the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law.
“Parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application.
“This case is adjourned to the 3rd day of June 2024, for hearing of the fundamental rights application.”
The term “status quo ante” refers to the previously existing state of affairs before the passage of the controversial law.
The now-repealed Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law had established the Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi Emirates alongside the traditional Kano Emirate. The repeal of this law means that these newly created emirates have been dissolved, once again consolidating the Kano Emirate under a single ruler.
