Kano, Nigeria – June 20, 2024: In a significant judicial decision, the Federal High Court sitting in Kano has nullified the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano. The ruling was delivered by Justice Abdullahi Liman, who declared all actions taken following the enactment of the Kano Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024 as null and void.

Justice Liman’s judgment emphasized the illegality of the actions conducted under the new law, thereby reinstating the legal status to what it was before the law’s passage. The court ordered all parties involved to maintain the status quo ante, effectively reversing any changes made under the disputed law.

In addition to this ruling, the court has granted an application by the respondents for a stay of proceedings. This means that all further legal processes related to the case will be temporarily halted pending the outcome of an appeal. The matter has now been transferred to the Federal High Court 3 for continued deliberation.

The case has generated widespread interest due to its implications for the traditional leadership in Kano and the broader legal and political landscape of Nigeria. Sanusi, a former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria and a prominent figure in Nigerian society, had been reappointed under controversial circumstances that have now been legally challenged.

The respondents’ decision to seek a stay of proceedings and the subsequent transfer of the case to another court underscore the complexity and high stakes involved in this legal battle. Observers and stakeholders alike will be closely monitoring the developments as the case progresses to the Court of Appeal.

This ruling is the latest chapter in the ongoing saga surrounding the leadership of the Kano Emirate, highlighting the intersection of traditional authority and modern legal frameworks in Nigeria.

Credit: TVC News