A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has issued an ex-parte order preventing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, pending the resolution of a substantive suit filed against the reinstatement.
The court also halted the abolition of the four emirates: Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.
This development follows the passage of a bill by the State House of Assembly on Thursday, which proposed the reinstatement.
Justice A.M. Liman of the Federal High Court directed all involved parties to maintain the status quo ante until the determination of the suit filed by Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi on Thursday.
Justice Liman granted the Plaintiff/Applicant permission to issue and serve their concurrent originating motion, along with other court processes, on the 6th Defendant (IGP) in the FCT Abuja and outside the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court.
The defendants in the suit are 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.
Justice Liman stated, “In view of the Constitutional and Jurisdictional Issues apparent on the face of the application, parties shall address the Court on the 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 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 to June 3, 2024, for hearing.
Governor Abba Yusuf had officially announced the re-appointment of Emir Sanusi on Thursday.
