A Federal High Court in Kano has nullified the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano. Presiding Judge Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman declared that all actions taken following Sanusi’s controversial reinstatement are invalid. The court’s decision came after it was established that the Kano State Government acted in violation of a court order to maintain the status quo pending the hearing of motions on notice.
The court’s decision follows the actions of the Kano House of Assembly, which had repealed the law establishing additional emirate councils—Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya—under former Governor Dr. Abdullahi Ganduje. The current governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had implemented the repealed law to dethrone Ado Bayero and reinstall Sanusi.
The judge also set aside the action of Kano government, ordering parties to maintain status quo.
Recall that the Kano House of Assembly had repealed the law enthroning the 15th Emir and establishment of additional four emirate councils – Bichi, Rano Karaye and Gaya, by the immediate past governor of the state, Dr, Abdullahi Ganduje.
The incumbent governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf had implemented the repealed law by dethroning Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano to reinstall the dethroned 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi.
A kingmaker in the former Kano emirate, Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, had approached the court to challenge the law and asked the court, through his counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), to declare it null and void.