The end to the ongoing royal tussle over the Kano Emirship may still be far off, as the Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of a case seeking to determine the lawful Emir between Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and Khalifah Muhammadu Sanusi II to April 19, 2027.

The apex court had initially fixed Monday, April 20, 2026, to hear an appeal filed by a senior councillor in the emirate, Alhaji Aminu Baba Dan Agundi, in defence of Bayero, the 15th Emir, against the Kano State Government and the Kano State House of Assembly.

The appeal before the Supreme Court filed by Aminu Baba DanAgundi, a senior councilor in the emirate challenges the validity of the judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal on January 10, 2025, which upheld the appointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

In its landmark judgment, the Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court sitting in Kano lacked jurisdiction to entertain matters relating to the Emirate Council, and consequently nullified its earlier ruling delivered in favour of the 15th Emir.

When the case came up for hearing on Monday at the Supreme Court, counsel to the appellant, Mamman Lawal Yusufari (SAN), informed the court that counsel to one of the respondents had filed a motion on April 14 and served it on the appellant’s counsel on April 15, 2026.

Yusufari requested an adjournment to enable the appellant respond adequately, noting that the law grants him 14 days from the date of service to file a reply. Counsel to the Kano State House of Assembly, Bashir Yusuf, did not oppose the application.

In his ruling, Justice Adamu Jauro, who presided over the matter, granted the request and adjourned the case to April 19, 2027, for further hearing.

Speaking with The Guardian on the development, Yusufari clarified that the matter was scheduled for hearing and not for judgment, contrary to widespread speculation.

“The suit was slated for hearing today, not for judgment as many believed. Counsel to one of the respondents filed a motion on April 14 and served us the following day.

“We are entitled to respond within 14 days from the date of service. Hence, the adjournment, as the matter could not proceed,” he said.

Recall that Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, in May 2024, reappointed Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano, effectively dethroning the 15th Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.

The state government subsequently enacted an amended Emirate Law, which repealed the existing chieftaincy law.

Dissatisfied with the new law, Dan Agundi challenged it at the Federal High Court, which ruled in favour of Bayero.

Dan Agundi has argued that his right to participate in the process leading to the enactment of the new Emirate law which removed Bayero was violated by the State House of Assembly.

He is therefore seeking the nullification of the law that reinstated Sanusi. However, the judgment was later set aside in February 2025 on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction.

The emirate tussle has splitted the seat of emir into two with Sanusi II occupying the ancient Magagi Rumfa palace while Bayero sitting at Nassarawa mini palace along state road with heavy security presence in the last two years.

The present of both 15th and 16th emirs laying claim to the throne had continued to generate tension amid political coloration. While Sanusi enjoyed full backing of the state government, Bayero is believed to have received maximum support of Federal government.