Chief Justice of Nigeria Summons Judges Amid Kano Emirship Dispute

Two separate courts in Kano State have delivered conflicting temporary injunctions on the dispute over the Kano Emirate.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has called upon the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Chief Judge of Kano State High Court due to conflicting orders concerning the Kano Emirate conflict.

Two separate courts in Kano State have delivered conflicting temporary injunctions on the dispute over the Kano Emirate.

Justice S. A. Amobeda from the Federal High Court in Kano mandated on Tuesday the removal of the restored emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II, from Gidan Rumfa palace.

Conversely, Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu from the Kano State High Court decreed a different order, barring the police, the State Security Services (SSS), and the Nigerian Army from removing, bothering, or detaining Sanusi.

The struggle for the royal seat involves Sanusi and Aminu Ado Bayero, leading to demonstrations by their respective followers in Kano.

Following the annulment of the law by former governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, which was used to dethrone and banish him in 2020, Sanusi was reinstated by Governor Abba Yusuf during a ceremony at the Government House.

Nevertheless, on May 23, a Federal High Court in Kano enacted an order forbidding the state government from applying the Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024, which enabled Sanusi’s return and Bayero’s removal.

Upon Bayero’s return to Kano and his relocation to Nassarawa Palace, Governor Yusuf commanded his detention, voicing concerns over potential unrest in the state.

This led to the stationing of military personnel at Nassarawa Palace. On Monday, the Kano State High Court prevented Bayero from claiming the title of Emir of Kano and directed his expulsion from Nassarawa Palace.

The presiding judge, Justice Aisha Adamu Aliyu, also prohibited the deposed emirs of the dissolved emirates from taking on royal duties in Kano.

Court Directs Sanusi’s Removal

On Tuesday, the Federal High Court in Kano ordered Sanusi’s eviction from the palace.

The court further instructed the police to guarantee all entitlements and privileges of the 15th Fulani Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero.

Justice S. A. Amobeda, who issued the exparte order, declared that it was in the pursuit of justice and the preservation of peace in Kano State.

The order reads, "An interim injunction restraining the respondents, their agents, servants, privies, or any other person or authority from summoning, detaining, threatening, intimidating, harassing the applicant, raiding, tampering with, or visiting the applicant’s residence to arrest or in any way violate or attempt to violate the applicant’s rights pending the resolution of the originating motion.

An order preventing the 3rd, 4th, and 5th respondents and all others from obstructing the applicant’s use of his official residence and palace at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu, as well as the enjoyment of all rights and privileges due to him as the Emir of Kano State and from evicting anything or anyone residing within the palace unlawfully pending the hearing and the verdict of the originating summons."

The case has been postponed to June 4th for further proceedings.

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