THE Federal High Court in Kano has granted an ex-parte order stopping Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, pending the determination of a substantive suit filed against the re-enthronement of the former governor of Central bank of Nigeria (CBN).
The order also affected the scrapping of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye and Rano emirates, as contained in the new law.
Recall that the state House of Assembly had on Thursday, May 23, passed the Bill dissolving the four additional emirates created by the immediate past administration of former governor, Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje, and dethroned the five emirs, including Kano.
Speaking while signing the Bill repealing the State Emirate Council Law 2019 that created five emirate councils into law, at the Government House, shortly after its passage, the governor said the new law provided for the reinstatement of Sanusi as Emir of Kano and removal of all the five emirs in the five emirates enthroned by the abrogated law, in fulfillment of his campaign promise to residents of the ancient city and the state.
But the The court directed all parties involved to maintain status quo ante, pending the determination of the suit, filed by Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi on Thursday.
Justice A.M. Liman also granted leave to the Plaintiff/Applicant to issue and serve their concurrent originating motion, as well as all other court processes, on the 6th Defendant (IGP) in FCT, Abuja, and outside the jurisdiction of the court.
The Judge ruled: “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 Respondents from enforcing, executing, implementing and operationalising the Kano State Emirate Law Council (Repeal) Law.
“That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante, the passage and assent of the Bill, pending the hearing of the fundamental rights application.”
Justice Liman adjourned the case until June 3, for hearing.
The Defendants in the suit include Kano State Government; Kano State House of Assembly; Speaker of the Assembly; Commissioner of Police; the Inspector General of Police (IGP); Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Department of State Services.
Governor Abba Yusuf had on Thursday officially announced the re-appointment of Emir Sanusi, following his assent to the new law.
This latest development puts on hold, the coronation and celebration of the return of Sanusi to the throne, but for how long, remains to be seen.
