Federal High Court in Kano has issued an order preventing the Kano State Government from implementing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law. This decision, delivered by Justice Mohammed Liman, came in response to an application filed by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate.
The court papers detailing this ruling have rapidly circulated on social media, drawing widespread public attention.
On Thursday, the Kano State House of Assembly dissolved the four newly established emirate councils in the state
. This dissolution followed a plenary session during which the matter was extensively debated.
In a related political manoeuvre, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf has reinstated Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, a position from which Sanusi was deposed four years ago by the former governor, Umar Ganduje. Governor Yusuf also deposed the five emirs appointed by Ganduje, issuing them a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate their official residences and palaces. The governor instructed these emirs to hand over all official matters to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The latest lawsuit, concerning the emir’s position, lists 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 as respondents.
Meanwhile, the court ordered that all court processes be served on the IGP in Abuja.
The judge ruled, “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.
“That 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.
“That in order to maintain the peace and security of the state, an interim injunction of this Honourable Court is granted restraining the fifth to eight respondents (CP, IGP, NSCDC and DSS) from enforcing, executing, implementing and operationalising the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law.
“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.
“That this case is adjourned to the 3rd day of June 2024, for hearing of the fundamental rights application.”
“Status quo ante” refers to the previously existing state of affairs.
The repealed law, known as the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, had created Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi Emirates in addition to Kano.
The law’s repeal means that the newly created emirates have been dissolved, consolidating the Kano Emirate once again under a single ruler.
