In a surprising turn of events, a Federal High Court in Kano has issued a groundbreaking order halting the Kano State Government from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law.
The order came in response to an application by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, and has since sparked widespread interest as court papers regarding the case have gone viral.
The dramatic development unfolded after the Kano State House of Assembly, in a decisive move, dissolved all four newly created emirate councils in the state. This decision, reported by PUNCH Online, followed deliberations during a plenary session.
Adding to the intrigue, Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf made a bold move by reappointing Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, marking a remarkable return for Sanusi, who was dethroned four years earlier by a former governor of the state, Umar Ganduje.
In a further display of authority, Governor Yusuf deposed five emirs previously appointed by Ganduje, giving them a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate their official residences and palaces. They were also directed to hand over all affairs to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
The latest twist in the saga sees the respondents in the fundamental rights case as the Kano State Government, the House of Assembly, the Speaker, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the State Security Service.
Meanwhile, the court has also directed that all court processes be served on the Inspector-General of Police in Abuja, adding another layer of complexity to the unfolding legal drama surrounding the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law.
The judge ruled, “That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the fundamental rights application.
“That in view of the constitutional and jurisdictional issues apparent on the face of the application, parties shall address the court on same at the hearing of the fundamental rights application which is fixed 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 fifth to eight respondents (CP, IGP, NSCDC and DSS) from enforcing, executing, implementing and operationalising the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law.
“That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application.
“That this case is adjourned to the 3rd day of June 2024, for hearing of the fundamental rights application.”
“Status quo ante” indeed refers to the previously existing state of affairs.
In this case, the repealed law, known as the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, had created Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi Emirates in addition to Kano.
The repeal of this law effectively dissolves the newly created emirates, reverting the Kano Emirate back to its previous state under a single ruler.
