The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has criticised the judges’ conduct over conflicting orders issued by courts in Kano in the Emirate tussle.
NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, in a statement from the secretariat, described the actions of the Federal High Court and Kano High Court judges as a disgrace and shame to the legal profession.
On Wednesday, the National Judicial Council (NJC) initiated a probe, which will commence with the summoning of FHC Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, and Chief Judge of Kano, Justice Dije Aboki.
The judges are to appear before Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Olukayode Ariwoola today.
Reacting to the issue, Maikyau said the conduct of counsel and the courts in the handling of the proceedings, which culminated in the orders issued by the Federal High Court, the Kano State High Court, and again the Federal High Court, in a circus, has exposed the entire legal profession in Nigeria to public ridicule and opprobrium.
“The damage is one that would take the legal profession a long time to recover from. It is unfortunate and was totally uncalled for.
“For a country whose legal resources and expertise have for several decades been exported and positively impacted not only the African continent but the world at large, it is completely unacceptable that the processes of our courts would be deployed in the manner we have witnessed in the last couple of days, on a subject matter that is as clear as a chieftaincy dispute.”
The NBA President stated that it is a subject that has been sufficiently dealt with by legislation and case law, leaving no one confused about the jurisprudence on the subject – both procedural and substantive.
“Without prejudice to the subsisting actions before both the Federal High Court and the Kano State High Court, it is my considered view that there is an urgent need to scrutinise the professional conduct of both counsel and the judges involved in these matters.”
On Tuesday, two courts gave conflicting orders involving the Emir of Kano, Sanusi Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The first ruling by Justice S. A. Amobeda of the Federal High Court ordered Sanusi’s eviction from the palace.
The second order by Justice Adamu Aliyu of the State High Court restrained security agencies from evicting the monarch.
Then on Monday, a Kano High Court gave an order that the police should evict the deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, from the Nasarawa Palace.
Justice Amina Aliyu issued an interim injunction restraining Bayero and the emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye from parading themselves as monarchs.
