In a notable twist in the Kano State Emirate Council saga, the Federal High Court in Kano has halted the enforcement of the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law. This decision came after Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, filed a request to stop the law’s implementation.
Previously, the Kano State House of Assembly had dissolved the four newly established emirate councils in the state, a decision stemming from discussions during a legislative session. This move followed the repeal of the law that had established the Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi Emirates alongside Kano.
In an unexpected turn, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf reinstated Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, four years after his dethronement by former governor Umar Ganduje. Governor Yusuf also removed five emirs appointed by Ganduje, giving them a 48-hour deadline to vacate their official residences and palaces, instructing them to hand over duties to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
In the ongoing legal battle over the Emir’s position, the defendants in the fundamental rights case include the Kano State Government, the House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the State Security Service.
Justice Mohammed Liman issued the order, stating, “All parties are to maintain the status quo as it was before the bill was passed and signed into law, pending the hearing of the fundamental rights application.”
He further ruled, “Given the constitutional and jurisdictional questions evident in the application, parties will address the court on these issues during the hearing of the fundamental rights application set for June 3, 2024.”
Additionally, the judge declared, “To preserve the state’s peace and security, an interim injunction is granted, preventing the fifth to eighth respondents (CP, IGP, NSCDC, and DSS) from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law.”
The case has been adjourned to June 3, 2024, for the hearing of the fundamental rights application.
