Kano emirate tussle: Anxiety as Sanusi, Bayero know fate today

All things being equal, the Federal High Court in Kano will today deliver rulings in the suit seeking to determine the validity of the Kano Emirates Council Law 2024.

The law was used by the state governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, to dethrone the 15th Fulani Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and also to reverse the creation of four emirates, Bichi, Rano Karaye and Gaya, by his predecessor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.

The law was also relied upon to re-appoint the 14th Fulani Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who was dethroned by Ganduje in 2020, as the 16th Fulani Emir of Kano.

However, a kingmaker in the former Kano emirate, Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, challenged the propriety of the law and asked the court, through his counsel, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), to declare the law null and void.

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The judge, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, after hearing his motion on Friday last adjourned to today for ruling on the plea.

The judge will also deliver a ruling on a motion for stay of proceedings filed by A.G. Wakil, counsel for the State Attorney General and Kano State Government, who were joined as respondents in Danagundi’s suit.

Similarly, at the last sitting, Eyitayo Fatogun (SAN), the counsel for the State House of Assembly and its speaker, informed the court that he had filed a notice of appeal at the Court of Appeal, urging the court to stay proceedings.

The judge, however, ruled that there was no evidence that the appeal had been entered and no application for stay had been filed before the court.

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The spokesperson of Kano State Police Command, Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said they have made adequate deployment not only at the court premises but at specific and strategic places around the town. 

He advised residents of the state that do not have any business around the court area to stay off and continue with their daily activities without any fear. He added that the police would ensure adequate security of lives and property before, during, and after the court’s expected pronouncements.

Daily Trust