A Federal High Court in Kano Court has issued a restraining order blocking the reinstatement of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II and the abolition of the newly created emirates.
The order, issued by Justice Liman, puts a temporary halt to both actions taken by the Kano State government under Governor Abba Yusuf.
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The order comes from a lawsuit filed by Sarkin Dawaki Babba, and Aminu Babba-Dan Agundi.
The suit names the state government, the 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 Security as defendants.
“Parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage of and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application,” Justice Liman stated.
The move comes just hours after Governor Yusuf signed a new law dissolving the emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano, and announced the return of Emir Sanusi II, who was deposed in 2020 by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
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Yusuf argued that the new law, which abolishes the emirates created by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, would promote unity and socio-economic development in Kano.
“The return of Emir Sanusi will propel peace and prosperity and restore the lost glory of the state and its rich cultural heritage,” Yusuf said.
Justice Liman, however, in the ruling, noted the need to address the constitutional and jurisdictional issues raised by the suit.
“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 operationalising the Kano State Emirate Law Council (Repeal) Law,” Liman said.
The court then adjourned the case to June 3, 2024, for the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application.
The court also directed that the plaintiff may serve their originating motion and other court processes on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) in Abuja, outside the jurisdiction of the court.
