The Supreme Court has decisively resolved the long-standing dispute over the Gwandu Emirate throne in Kebbi State, confirming Alhaji Muhammad Ilyasu Bashir as the rightful Emir.
In a 3-2 split decision, the court ruled that the deposed Emir, Al-Mustapha Haruna Jokolo, failed to follow the correct legal procedures when initiating his lawsuit.
Specifically, he did not serve a pre-action notice on the Governor of Kebbi State, a mandatory step for commencing such proceedings.
This procedural flaw, the court held, meant that the trial court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case from the outset.
As a result, the Supreme Court nullified all previous proceedings and judgments by both the trial court and the Court of Appeal.
The judgment explicitly states: “We find that the deposed Emir of Gwandu, Jokolo, failed to initiate the proceedings in accordance with due process,” thereby solidifying Alhaji Muhammad Ilyasu Bashir’s position as the legitimate Emir of Gwandu.
“Specifically, the court holds that serving a pre-action notice on the Governor of Kebbi State was essential, and the deposed Emir’s failure to issue such notice prior to commencing the action is fatal to his case.”
Senior counsel, who represented the parties in the case are Mr. Y.C. Maikyau (SAN) for the Governor of Kebbi State, Mr. Hussaini Zakariya (SAN) for the Emir of Gwandu, and Mr. Sylvester Imanobe for Al-Mustapha Haruna Jokolo.
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