JUST IN: Tension In Kano As Appeal Court Delivers Judgement On Kano Emirate Tussle

The Abuja Division of the Court of Appeal is set to hear four appeals on Wednesday stemming from the Federal High Court and Kano State High Court decisions related to the emirate dispute in Kano State.

Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, has constituted a panel of three justices to address the appeals filed by the Kano State government, the Attorney General, the Kano State House of Assembly, and an interlocutory appeal by Emir Aminu Ado Bayero.

The appellants are contesting the ruling by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, which nullified actions taken under the Kano Emirates Council Law (repeal) 2024 and ordered the parties to maintain the “status quo ante” pending the resolution of a lawsuit filed by Aminu Babba Danagundi Sarkin Dawaki.

The Kano State Assembly had passed a bill on May 23, subsequently signed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, which deposed the emirs of Kano, Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya Emirates. The Governor reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano.

Following a Federal High Court restraining order, Emir Ado Bayero returned to Kano and occupied the Nasarawa mini palace, holding court there. This led to the state government ordering his eviction. Reinstated Emir Sanusi moved into the main palace on May 25, receiving homage from district and village heads.

The appellants, on June 14, filed for an order to allow the appeal and dismiss suit no FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 due to lack of jurisdiction.

Emir Bayero has also filed an interlocutory appeal against the decision by Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu of the Kano High Court, which ordered his eviction from the Nasarawa mini palace and instructed him to stop presenting himself as an emir.

On Monday, the Judge upheld the dethronement of Bayero and the four other deposed emirs.