A Federal High Court in Kano has decided it can hear a case about human rights violations filed by the dethroned Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and a senior councillor, Aminu Dan’agundi, after Emir Muhammad Sanusi II was reinstated.
The court issued an order to stop Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano from reinstating Sanusi until the main case is decided. The court also stopped the elimination of the four emirates—Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano—under a law passed by the state House of Assembly.
Justice Liman told everyone involved to keep things as they are until the case brought by Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi is resolved. He allowed the plaintiffs to send their court papers to the Inspector General of Police in Abuja, which is outside the court’s usual area.
The defendants in the case include the Kano State Government, the State House of Assembly, its Speaker, the State Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Security.
Justice Liman said that all parties must keep things as they were before the law was passed until the hearing on June 3, 2024. He stressed the need for peace and security, granting an interim order to stop the implementation of the new law affecting the emirates.
In a recent session, Justice Liman confirmed that the court has the power to hear the case according to the Constitution. He said that the defendants’ reference to another case (Gongola) did not apply here, as the Constitution clearly gives the Federal High Court this authority.
The plaintiffs’ lawyer, Chukwuson Ojukwu, argued that the main issues about the reappointment of the new Emir and the dethroning of the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, were ready to be heard. However, A. G. Wakil argued that a new motion about Chieftaincy Affairs was not part of the original case about human rights and jurisdiction.
Justice Liman adjourned the case to June 14, 2024, stressing that the matter is too important to be delayed.
Victoria Ibiama
