Sokoto court stops Gov. Aliyu from removing two district heads

Amid the ongoing controversy surrounding the proposed Sokoto State traditional institution law, the state’s High Court has granted an injunction temporarily restraining Gov. Ahmed Aliyu from dismissing two of the 15 district heads previously sacked by his administration.

Alhaji Buhari Tambuwal, the District Head of Tambuwal, and Alhaji Abubakar Kassim, the District Head of Kebbe, obtained the injunction.

According to Persecondnews, the two district heads filed separate lawsuits requesting that the government restrain their removal.

The state government removed the 15 district heads because of their alleged disobedience and contribution to state insecurity.

Justice Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed ruled that Aliyu, the Attorney General, and the Sokoto Sultanate Council must restore the status quo ante, pending the outcome of the lawsuit filed by the complainants, who were represented by Prof. Ibrahim Abdullahi (SAN).

In two orders dated June 16, 2024, Justice Ahmed told the defendants, along with their lawyers, agents, and anyone else working for them, to keep things as they are and not do anything else that could remove or dethrone district heads, especially those of Kebbe and Tambuwal, until the court hears and rules on the motion for an interlocutory injunction.

Persecondnews recalls that this latest turn of events comes as the state government is pushing a bill to amend the Local Government Law, which would grant the government the sole authority to appoint district and village heads.

The recent dismissal of 15 district heads and the proposed legislation in Sokoto State have sparked widespread outrage and concern nationwide, prompting Vice President Kashim Shettima to urge the Sokoto state government to recognize the cultural significance of the Sultanate and treat it with the respect and protection it deserves.

Also, the former Vice President and PDP presidential candidate in the 2023 poll, Atiku Abubakar, called for the safeguarding of traditional institutions from the “overreach and abuses” of state governors.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has issued two separate statements cautioning the Sokoto state government against attempting to depose the Sultan of Sokoto or diminish his authority, urging the government to abandon such plans and respect the traditional institution’s autonomy and cultural significance.

The Sokoto State House of Assembly passed the bill for second reading on Tuesday, and it was subsequently referred to a House Committee for further review.

A public hearing on the bill is scheduled for next Tuesday.