Kano Emirate Dispute: Court of Appeal Stays Sanusi’s Reinstatement Pending Supreme Court Ruling.
From Our Correspondent.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has temporarily halted the enforcement of its January 10 ruling, which had upheld the Kano State Government’s decision to repeal the Emirate Council Law of 2019.
This development means that the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano will now await a decision from Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court.
In its latest ruling, the Appeal Court also nullified a prior June 20 order issued by the Federal High Court in Kano. This order had declared unlawful the state government’s actions taken under the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law of 2024, which included the dissolution of the five emirates established in 2019 and the reinstatement of Sanusi II.
Dissatisfied with the Appeal Court’s decision, the Kano State Government has escalated the matter to the Supreme Court and has requested an injunction to prevent the execution of the judgment.
The three-judge panel, led by Justice Okon Abang, agreed to the request in response to two separate cases filed by Aminu Babba Dan (Sarkin Dawaki Babba) against various state respondents, including the Kano State Government and security agencies.
Babba Dan’s application, submitted on February 6, 2025, sought to stop the enforcement of the appellate ruling while the Supreme Court deliberates on the matter.
During the proceedings, Babba Dan contended that the trial court lacked jurisdiction and expressed concerns regarding the potential infringement of his fundamental rights.
He further argued that the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 was enacted unlawfully by the state legislature and signed by the governor.
In delivering the judgment, Justice Abang emphasized the necessity of maintaining the status quo preceding the Federal High Court’s June 13, 2024 decision. Given that an appeal is pending before the Supreme Court, the court deemed it vital to preserve the subject matter of the case.
The Court of Appeal’s January 10 judgment had previously overturned the Federal High Court’s ruling, which deemed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 null and void.
The appellate court ruled that chieftaincy matters fall under the jurisdiction of state high courts, while the unresolved Kano Emirate dispute is now set to be brought before the Supreme Court.
