Service of court processes on Tuesday experienced a setback, stopping proceedings in the Kano Emirship dispute initiated by the Kano State Government in the state high court.
The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Usaini Gumel, encountered difficulty in serving court papers to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, and four others. The applicants in the case include the Attorney General of Kano State, Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, and the Kano State House of Assembly itself.
Counsel for the applicants, Ibrahim Isah-Wangida Esq, filed a motion exparte dated May 27, 2024, seeking the court’s intervention to restrain Aminu Ado-Bayero and the four other dethroned emirs from assuming the title of emirs.
The respondents named in the motion are: Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero (Kano), Alhaji Nasiru Ado-Bayero (Bichi), Dr. Ibrahim Abubakar II (Karaye), Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad-Inuwa (Rano), and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim-Gaya (Gaya). Additionally, the Inspector-General of Police, Director of the State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigeria Army are included as respondents.
During the scheduled hearing, counsel for the Inspector-General of Police, Abdulsalam Saleh, informed the court that despite efforts, they were unable to serve the first to fifth respondents.
Saleh explained, “There was a Federal High Court order restraining the police from arresting, intimidating, or harassing the respondents, which hindered the service.”
Counsel for the applicants, Eyitayo Fatogun (SAN), requested an adjournment to allow for the filing of necessary applications for serving the respondents.
In response, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu questioned the reasoning behind the failure to serve the respondents despite the protective order, emphasizing that serving court papers shouldn’t have been affected by the order.
The court adjourned the matter to June 24 for the hearing of the motion on notice.
Earlier on May 27, the court had granted an interim injunction restraining the first to fifth respondents from assuming the title of emirs in the interest of peace in Kano. It ordered that the dethroned emirs be served through the office of the Kano Commissioner of Police.
Following the passage of the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Bill by the House of Assembly on May 23, and its subsequent assent by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, the four newly created emirates were dissolved. The reinstatement of Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano was also announced by the governor.
Aminu Ado Bayero returned to Kano on Saturday, May 25, and has since been holding court at the Nasarawa mini palace.
Victoria Ibiama
