KEY POINTS
- The Court of Appeal has suspended the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, pending a Supreme Court ruling.
- The legal battle stems from conflicting judgments over the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024, with the appellate court ruling that the case should have been heard by a state court, not the Federal High Court.
- The case has reignited debates about the role of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s political landscape and could set a precedent for future chieftaincy disputes.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has suspended the reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, pending a final ruling by the Supreme Court.
This decision, delivered on Friday by a three-member panel of justices led by Justice Okon Abang, has added another layer of complexity to the long-standing legal battle over the Kano emirship.
According to SaharaReporters, the court unanimously halted the implementation of a January 10 judgment that had overturned the nullification of Sanusi’s appointment, citing the need to preserve the rights of all parties involved.
“The court must act judiciously to protect the rights of the parties involved,” Justice Abang emphasised during the ruling. He further noted that the case required careful handling, given Sanusi’s five-year tenure as emir before his controversial removal in 2020.
The appellate court found merit in the argument to halt the enforcement of the reinstatement order until the Supreme Court delivers its verdict.
Sanusi: Legal controversy dates back to June 2024
The legal controversy traces back to a June 20, 2024, ruling by the Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Abubakar Liman.
That ruling nullified the Kano State Government’s Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which had reinstated Sanusi II as the 16th Emir.
The court also ordered all parties to maintain the status quo during the reign of Emir Ado Bayero, who currently holds the title.
However, the appellate court has now ruled that the matter should have been heard by the Kano State High Court or the FCT High Court, not the Federal High Court.
“The jurisdiction over this chieftaincy dispute lies with the state court, not the federal court,” Justice Abang stated.
Consequently, the court ordered the transfer of the pending suit and imposed a cost of N500,000 against the applicant, Aminu Baba-Dan’Agundi, in favor of the Kano State House of Assembly.
Despite differing opinions among the justices, the Court of Appeal ultimately struck out Baba-Dan’Agundi’s case at the Federal High Court.
This decision has sparked mixed reactions across Kano State, with supporters of Sanusi expressing disappointment and those backing Emir Ado Bayero welcoming the ruling.
The Sanusi case has also reignited debates about the role of traditional institutions in Nigeria’s political landscape and the influence of state governments in chieftaincy matters.
The Kano emirship dispute has been a source of tension since Sanusi’s removal in 2020, which many viewed as politically motivated.
Sanusi, a former Central Bank of Nigeria governor, was dethroned by the Kano State Government under then-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who accused him of insubordination.
His reinstatement earlier this year was seen as a move by the current administration to reverse Ganduje’s decisions, but the legal hurdles have delayed his return to the throne.
As the case heads to the Supreme Court, legal experts predict a protracted battle that could set a precedent for similar chieftaincy disputes in Nigeria.
“This case is not just about Sanusi or Bayero; it’s about the rule of law and the autonomy of traditional institutions,” said Barrister Ahmed Musa, a legal analyst based in Abuja.
The Supreme Court’s decision will likely have far-reaching implications for Nigeria’s traditional and political systems.
