UPDATED : Deposed Emir Sanusi Heads To Court

The deposed Emir of Kano Muhammadu Sanusi has vowed to institute legal action against Kano state governor, Abdullahi Ganduje over unlawful detention after his dethronement on Monday.

His lawyer, Barr.  Abubakar Balarabe Mahmoud, SAN, at a news conference said they have instruction from Muhammadu Sanusi II through his Chief of Staff to challenge his detention and arrest in court.

The Senior Advocate of Nigeria said that the detention is illegal, unconstitutional and would be challenged if after 24 hours the former Emir is not released.

According to him section 35 of the Nigerian constitution guarantees every citizen the right to personal liberty and freedom.

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He said he was together with the former Emir when the security agents led by the Police Commissioner came to take him from the palace.

“We informed the Commissioner of Police that it was illegal and violation of his constitutional rights to remove him to Nassarawa State against his wish.  The Emir informed the Commissioner of Police that his friends had sent an aircraft to take him and his family to Lagos and requested that they should be provided with the necessary security to the airport so that he could leave.

However, the Police Commissioner refused saying that was not the instruction given to them as they were willing to allow the family to leave for Lagos but he was to be flown to Abuja then onwards taken to Nassarawa State.

“It was clear to us that both the Emir and ourselves were helpless and the police and other security agents were willing to take any measure and use force to achieve their objective.  In order not to jeopardize the Emir’s safety or the safety of any member of his family or indeed other persons around, the Emir decided to cooperate and proceed in the vehicles provided by the operatives.

‘’Gentlemen, we have not spoken to the Emir since yesterday but we understand they are at their destination somewhere in a remote part of Nassarawa State after driving for nearly seven hours in the night and arrived at about 2.00 am this morning. We understand the choice of location to detain  Muhammadu Sanusi II was intended to cause maximum trauma and distress.

He added that they are concerned about the personal safety security of the deposed emir, with this call on all meaning Nigerians and the International Community to wade into the issue to ensure that His Highness Muhammadu Sanusi regains his liberty and to guarantee his safety and security,”