Just in: Court halts Sanusi’s reinstatement as Emir of Kano

A Federal High Court in Kano has granted an ex-parte order restraining Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf from reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano.

It ordered the status quo ante, pending determination of a substantive suit filed against the reinstatement.

The order also fought against the abolition of four emirates: Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.

The reinstatement was contingent upon a bill earlier passed by the State House of Assembly on Thursday.

Persecondnews reports that it is, however, not clear if the Kano State Government has been served the ex-parte order.

However, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante until the outcome of the lawsuit, which Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi filed on Thursday.

The Plaintiff/Applicant was allowed by Justice A.M. Liman of the Federal High Court to file and serve their concurrent originating motion as well as all other court processes on the 6th Defendant (IGP) in FCT Abuja and in places outside the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court.

The defendants in the suit include the Kano State Government, the Kano State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the State Assembly, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services.

In light of the constitutional and jurisdictional issues apparent on the face of the application, Justice Liman ordered that the parties address the Court on these issues during the hearing of the fundamental rights application, scheduled for the 3rd of June, 2024.

“That in order to maintain the peace and security of the state, an interim injunction of this Honourable Court is granted restraining the respondents from enforcing, executing, implementing, and operationalizing the Kano State Emirate Law Council (Repeal) Law.

“That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill pending the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application.”

The judge adjourned the case until June 3, 2024, for hearing.

On Thursday, Gov. Abba Yusuf officially announced Emir Sanusi’s re-appointment.