Court Nullifies Sanusi’s Reinstatement as Emir of Kano

 

Justice Abdullahi Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano has overturned the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of the Kano Emirate.

The ruling, delivered on Thursday, marks a significant turn in the ongoing legal saga surrounding the leadership of one of Nigeria’s oldest and most revered traditional institutions.

In his judgment, Justice Liman declined to nullify the amended Kano Emirate law, which had precipitated the division of the emirate into five.

However, he did invalidate all actions taken by Governor Abba Yusuf subsequent to the amendment, criticizing the governor’s approval of the bill and the subsequent issuance of an appointment letter to Emir Sanusi on May 24, 2024.

This move occurred despite a court directive ordering all parties to maintain the status quo pending further legal proceedings.

The judge emphasized that the governor and the Kano State House of Assembly were aware of the court order but proceeded with their actions regardless.

Justice Liman expressed regret over the unnecessary turmoil caused by the failure to comply with the court’s directive, suggesting that adherence to the order could have allowed governance to proceed without controversy.

The legal battle over the leadership of the Kano Emirate has been marred by political intrigue and familial rivalries, reminiscent of dramatic narratives seen in popular television series.

The conflict between the Bayero and Sanusi dynasties has played a central role in the succession disputes, with Muhammadu Sanusi II initially ascending the throne in 2014, only to be dethroned six years later in favour of Aminu Ado Bayero.

Sanusi’s reinstatement in 2024 followed a change in administration, but challenges from various quarters, including a legal challenge from Aminu Babba Danagundi, a kingmaker within one of the former emirates, have continued to cloud his position.