The Kano State government has claimed victory for Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II at the federal High court.
It confirmed that Sanusi remains the Emir of Kano following a ruling delivered earlier on Thursday by the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman.
The ruling addressed the ongoing litigation concerning the abolition of the five emirates and the deposition of the former emirs, including the emir of eight metropolitan local governments.
This is contrary to earlier reports that the court nullified the law that sets up the Emirates which by implication sacked Sanusi’s second installation as emir.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Government House, the State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Haruna Isah Dederi, insisted by outlining the court’s decision and its implications.
The Attorney General emphasised that the ruling reaffirms the validity of the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law, 2024, which was passed by the Kano State House of Assembly and signed into law by Governor Abba K. Yusuf on May 23, 2024.
Dederi said, “Today 20th June, 2024, the Federal High Court No. 1, Kano had passed its ruling in respect of the case before it. I have the honour, on behalf of His Excellency Gov. Abba K. Yusuf and the Kano State Government, to address you once again over the lingering litigation arising from the abolishing of the Five emirates and deposition of the former emirs. (including the deposed emir of 8 metropolitan local governments).
“The Kano State Government acknowledges the ruling by the Federal High Court regarding the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law, 2024, and views the same as upholding the rule of law.
“By the ruling of the Court, it has unequivocally. reaffirmed the validity of the law passed by the Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State on Thursday 23rd May, 2024 by 5:10 pm. This part of the judgment is very fundamental to the entire matter.”
He further explained that the ruling validates all actions taken by the government before the interim order issued by the court, which includes the abolition of the five emirates created in 2019 and the deposition of their respective emirs. Consequently, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II is reinstated as the Emir of Kano.
“Further implication of the ruling is that all actions done by the Government before the emergence of the interim order of the honourable Court, are equally validated. This means that the abolishing of 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,” he stated
Dederi however said the court granted the Kano State government’s application for a stay of proceedings pending the Court of Appeal’s decision on jurisdiction.
“The judge also granted our application for the stay of proceedings until the Court of Appeal deals with the appeal before it on jurisdiction. Happily, the signing of the law and the reinstatement of His Highness, Emir Muhammad Sanusi II were done on 23rd May, 2024 before the emergence of the Interim Order which was served on us on Monday 27th May, 2024,” Dederi added.
