Sanusi Wins As Court Validates His Position As 16th Emir Of Kano

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has come out victoriously again as the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has struck out the fundamental right application filed by a Kano Kingmaker, Aminu Babba Danagundi (Sarkin Dawaki Babba), in respect of the Kano Emirate dispute.

The judgement, which automatically reinstated Muhammad Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano, was the outcome of an appeal filed by the Kano State House of Assembly and the Speaker of the House of Assembly against the judgement of Justice Abubakar Liman on June 20th, 2024.

In its judgement, the three-member panel led by Justice Muhammad Mustapha held that the case, which sought to challenge Sanusi’s appointment as the Emir of Kano, lacked merit.

The panel which sat in Abuja, further declared that the Federal High Court in Kano had no jurisdiction to adjudicate in matters pertaining to the Kano State Emirate Council law.

It reiterated that the principal reliefs sought by Dan Agundi fell outside the scope of fundamental human rights and were, in fact, related to chieftaincy matters.

Quoting Section 251 of the Nigeria Constitution, the court pointed out that the Federal High Court does not have the authority to handle issues related to chieftaincy matters

Recalled that the lower court presided by Justice Liman had voided the steps taken by the Kano State Government pursuant to the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, including the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Justice Liman had hinged his judgement on the grounds that the state government had violated his earlier order directing the parties in the case to maintain the status quo