Confusion as Kano Govt orders ejection of Bayero from Palace after Court nullifies Sanusi’s reappointment

BrandPower Magazine 21/06/2024Last Updated: 21/06/2024

6 minutes read

Confusion as Kano Govt orders ejection of Bayero from Palace after Court nullifies Sanusi's reappointment The unfolding intrigue going on in Kano has taken a dramatic turn of events as the Kano State Government has ordered the ejection of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero from the emir’s palace.

This, according to the government is following a recent court judgement that nullified the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano. This latest twist in the ongoing saga surrounding the Kano Emirate has thrown the ancient city into a state of confusion, highlighting the volatile intersection of traditional authority and modern governance in Nigeria.

Emir Sanusi Holds Sallah Durbar in Kano

The Court’s Verdict

A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Thursday nullified the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Alhaji Aminu Babba-Dan’agundi, who holds the title of Sarkin Dawaki Babba, had, through his counsel, Ibrahim Aliyu-Nasarawa, filed a motion dated May 23, in which he asked the court to restrain the Kano State government from implementing the Kano State Emirate (Repeal) Law 2024.

The law had repealed the 2019 Emirate Council law that established five emirates from the original Kano Emirate.

With all Emirs sacked, the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, who had been sacked by the Abdullahi Ganduje administration in March 2020, was reinstated as 16th Emir to replace Aminu Ado Bayero, who was was consumed by the repeal of the law.

Disatisfied with the development, Babba-Dangundi took the matter to court to seek a reversal of the removal of Bayero.

The respondents were the Kano State Government, Kano State House of Assembly, Speaker, Kano State House of Assembly, Attorney-General of Kano State and Commissioner of Police in Kano.

Others are the Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Department of State Security Service.

Delivering a ruling, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad-Liman declared that all actions carried out by the state government following the passage of the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 were null and void.

“I hereby order that every step or actions taken by the respondents in pursuant to Kano Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024 is null and void and is set aside.

“However, this order does not affect the validity of the law,’’ he said.

He also ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante.

He held that the respondents were aware of the earlier order dated May 23, to maintain status quo pending the hearing and determination of the case.

“I think it is a very serious matter for anyone to flout the orders of the court and go scot free with it.

“The catastrophic situation could have been averted if the respondents followed due processes by complying with the court order, which would still have allowed them to carry out their assignments.”

Muhammad-Liman granted the respondents’ application for stay of proceedings pending hearing and determination of their application at the court of appeal on jurisdiction.

“I hereby transfer the case to Justice Simon Amobeda, Federal High Court 3,” he said

Earlier, Counsel to the applicant, M. S. Waziri, had urged the court to nullify the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) law 2024.

Counsel to Kano State House of Assembly and Speaker, Eyitayo Fatogun, told the court that he had filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal and a motion on stay of proceedings.

Fatogun also applied to be recused from the matter, asking for an adjournment to enable his clients find another lawyer, and pending hearing and determination of his application at the court of appeal on jurisdiction.

Counsel to Attorney General of Kano State and the State Government, Mr A. G. Wakil, aligned himself with the position of Fatogun.

Also, Counsel to the Commissioner of Police Kano and Inspector General of Police, Mr Sunday Ekwe, told the court that the duty of the police was to maintain peace in the state, and that was why they did not file any response on jurisdiction issue.

BRANDPOWER reports that the State House of Assembly on May 23 dissolved all the four newly created Emirate council’s in the state.

BRANDPOWER reports that Gov. Abba Kabir-Yusuf, on May 23, dethroned the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, and reappointed Muhammad Sanusi II, as the Emir of Kano, four years after he was dethroned by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Kano Government response

The Kano State Government has directed the Commissioner of Police to eject the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, from the Nasarawa Palace where he currently resides.

Governor Abba Yusuf gave the directive via the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi.

Dederi, while conveying the directive at a news conference on Thursday in Kano, explained that the government had finalised plans for a general renovation of the palace.

According to him, the state government has concluded plans for immediate demolition and reconstruction of its dilapidated wall.

Dederi acknowledged the ruling by the Federal High Court regarding the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 and viewed same as upholding the rule of law.

“The ruling of the court has unequivocally reaffirmed the validity of the law passed by Kano State House of Assembly and assented to, by the Governor on May 2024.

“This part of the judgement is very fundamental to the entire matter. Further implication of the ruling is that all actions taken by the government before the emergence of the interim order of the Court, are equally validated.

“This means that abolishing 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 on jurisdiction.

“Happily, the signing of the law and the reinstatement of Sanusi II were done on 23 May, 2024 before the emergence of the Interim Order, which was served on us on 27 May, 2024.

“Following this ruling, Kano State Government has directed the State Commissioner of Police to eject the deposed Emir of the eight metropolitan local governments from the government property where he is ‘trespassing’.

“The government will commence general renovation of the property with immediate effect,” he said.

BRANDPOWER reports that the Federal High Court, while ruling on the substantive suit, validated the Kano Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024, and also nullified all actions taken by Gov. Yusuf after the passage of the law.

BRANDPOWER reports that the State House of Assembly, on May 23, dissolved the four Emirate Councils created out of the Kano Emirate by Alhaji Abdullahi Ganduje, Gov Yusuf’s predecessor, in 2019.

BRANDPOWER also reports that Gov Yusuf, on May 23, dethroned the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, and reappointed Muhammad Sanusi II, the 14th Emir deposed in March 2020, as the new Emir of Kano.

Rash of Court Interventions

The legal landscape in Kano has been marked by a flurry of court interventions. In recent months, both state and federal courts have issued several rulings affecting the status and governance of the Kano Emirate. These include decisions on the legitimacy of Sanusi’s dethronement, the legality of Bayero’s appointment, and various injunctions aimed at maintaining or disrupting the status quo.

The state’s judiciary has found itself at the heart of political disputes, with each ruling intensifying the power struggle between the traditional emirate and the state government. These legal battles have not only destabilized the emirate but have also raised questions about the independence and integrity of the judiciary in adjudicating politically sensitive matters.

Implications for Kano State and Nigeria

The implications of these developments are profound. For Kano State, the ongoing turmoil threatens to undermine the stability and cohesion of one of Nigeria’s most historically significant emirates. The emirate has long been a unifying symbol for the Hausa-Fulani people, and the current crisis risks fracturing this unity, with potential repercussions for peace and security in the region.

For the citizens of Kano, the uncertainty surrounding the leadership of the emirate has created a climate of anxiety and confusion. Traditional authority plays a crucial role in the daily lives of many Kano residents, and the repeated changes in leadership have disrupted social and cultural norms.

On a national level, the Kano Emirate crisis highlights the broader challenges facing Nigeria’s federal system. The interplay between state governments and traditional institutions is a delicate balance that requires careful management. The situation in Kano underscores the need for clear legal frameworks and respectful engagement between political and traditional leaders to prevent similar conflicts in other parts of the country.

Curious court ruling, curious government order

The ejection of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero from the emir’s palace, following the court’s nullification of Muhammadu Sanusi II’s reappointment, marks a significant moment in the ongoing power struggle within the Kano Emirate. As the state government and judiciary continue to grapple with the complex issues at play, the people of Kano and Nigeria as a whole watch closely, hoping for a resolution that respects both tradition and the rule of law. The coming weeks and months will be critical in determining whether Kano can navigate this crisis without further upheaval, and what lessons can be learned for the governance of traditional institutions across Nigeria.