Appeal Court stays action on Bayero-Sanusi tussle, returns parties to Supreme Court 

* We have only one Emir, not aware of any parallel Dubar, state govt says
* Sanusi installs new head of Bichi, removes Bayero’s brother
* Commissioner appeals to FG not to destabilise peace in the state

The Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, yesterday, relieved actions earlier delivered against the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as 16th Emir of Kano.

Subsequently, the appellate court, upon taking cognisance of the transmission of the record to the Supreme Court, directed all interested parties to exercise caution pending the hearing of their appeals at the apex court.

In a unanimous ruling delivered by a three-member panel of judges, presided by Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, the court agreed with the withdrawal of the application filed by the Kano State Government after transmission of the record of appeal to the Supreme Court.

While hearing resumed yesterday to rule on enforcement of its earlier orders, counsel to Kano State Government, Ibrahim Wangida, intimated the court of a notice of appeal moved against a stay of execution held on Friday, March 14, 2025.

Wangida told the court that all necessary legal actions had been perfected, including the transmission of the record to the Supreme Court. The transmission of record of the appeal to the Supreme Court by implication and by decided authorities or judicial precedent operate as a stay of any action of the ruling of the Court of Appeal of March 14, 2025.

Recall that Justice Okon Abang, on March 14, ordered a stay of execution of its earlier judgment that validated the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Dissatisfied with the ruling of Justice Abang, counsel to the Kano State Government, Wangida, faulted the ruling, which he considered a gross error of provisions of the Constitution, saying the appeal was already filed before the Supreme Court.

Responding to the notice of the application, counsel to the appellant, Abdul Fagge, who did not object to the notice, told the court the respondent acted within the constitutional provision.

Kano State Government had last year reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as 16th Emir of Kano pursuant to the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024. The same law validated the dethronement of Aminu Ado Bayero as 15th Emir, along with four first class emirs appointed by the former governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje. But Bayero had forcefully returned to challenge his removal and occupied Nasarawa mini palace in Kano with heavy security cover.

However, the unfolding crisis which the dethronment and reinstatement of emirs in the northwest state has caused is now posing a major challenge to the peace of the state, the latest being the move by the two emirs currently presiding over the traditional administration of the state, to celebrate the annual traditional end of the Ramadan horse riding in the state simultaneously. The horse riding, which is known as Hawan Daushe, entails riding of horses around major historic sites within and outside Kano metropolis.

In the face of the impending threat to law and order, the Kano State Police Command, has said the police will do everything possible to ensure that the state continue to remain peaceful.

Despite the police assurances given by Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, spokesperson for the command, most Kano residents see moves by both the dethroned Emir, Bayero, on one hand, and the reinstated Emir, Sanusi, to perform the ceremony in the state, as a clear threat to peace and stability of the state.

The legal tussle notwithstanding, the reinstated Emir, on Monday, went ahead to inaugurate a new district head for the town of Bichi. This move is seen by many residents as a final foreclosure of the removal of Nasir Ado Bayero, the younger brother of Aminu Ado Bayero, who was installed by Ganduje, as the Emir of the town.

It would be recalled that the current administration of Abba Kabir Yusuf had recently dethroned Nasir Ado Bayero, and his elder brother, when the governor appointed new emirs and left out Nasir.

Earlier, security operatives in the state had prevented attempts by Sanusi to install a new district head for the town, as supporters of Nasir Ado Bayero had threatened to disrupt the installation of a new district head for the town. But the inauguration of a new district head was eventually carried out on Monday by Emir Sanusi.

Alhaji Munir Sanusi Bayero, the newly appointed Wamban Kano and District Head of Bichi, has officially taken office, delivered a heartfelt speech that emphasised unity, leadership, and the legacy of the Kano Emirate. Munir expressed deep gratitude to Allah for restoring the dignity of the royal house and reaffirmed his commitment to upholding the traditions of the Dabo dynasty.

He highlighted Bichi’s historical significance as a stronghold for the descendants of Kano’s ruling family, tracing its rich history back to Emir Abdullahi Bayero. Munir also acknowledged the town’s role as a sanctuary during difficult times for the descendants of Emir Abbas.

Munir paid tribute to Emir of Kano, Sanusi, for his unwavering support, reflecting on his personal journey under the Emir’s leadership. He expressed deep appreciation for the Emir’s mentorship and emphasized the importance of unity within the Dabo dynasty. The new Wamban outlined his priorities for Bichi, placing education at the forefront, in line with Emir Sanusi II’s emphasis on learning.

MEANWHILE, the Kano State Commissioner for Information and Internal Affairs, Ambassador Abdullahi Ibrahim Waiye, has said preparation for Sallah Durbar festival has commenced across the four emirates.

Waiya told The Guardian on telephone that the traditional horse ride will take place separately at Rano, Gaya, Karaye emirate while Emir Sanusi will lead the ground-breaking festival in Kano. He said Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has directed security agencies to ensure massive deployment of men and officers to ensure a peaceful Sallah celebration in the state.

Reacting to a parallel preparation of Sallah Durbar by the deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, the Commissioner insisted that Kano State Government is not aware of any parallel Durbar. He appealed on Federal Government to desist from fueling crisis in the state.

This is just as Emir Sanusi has warned that those plotting to unleash mayhem in the state ahead of the Sallah Durbar festival should prepare to face severe consequences. Speaking during a special Ramadan Iftar with his subjects at his palace, Sanusi specifically pointed that those opposing his reinstatement, thereby seeking to set Kano on the part of violence shall be consume by their evil act.

The Emir described his enemies as defiance of divine will and cautioned that those involved would ultimately face misfortune. He encouraged residents to remain patient, pray for peace, and trust that justice would prevail.

IN another development, the Court of Appeal, Abuja has fixed April 8 for the hearing and determination of suits arising from the conduct of elections in the 44 Local Government Areas of Kano. The court fixed the date after resolving several motions on notices that accompanied the substantive matters.

The Kano State House of Assembly has however asked the appellate court to void and set aside the judgment of the Federal High Court in Kano which had restrained the conduct of the election since October last year.

The House of Assembly represented by Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) predicated his call for the declaration of the court’s judgment null and void on five major grounds. Among others, the House of Assembly maintained that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to dabble into local government conduct in Kano State and that the suit filed by one Aminu Tiga and the All Progressives Congress (APC), was statute-barred at the time it was filed, and that the two plaintiffs have no locus standing to have instituted the case.

Justice Simon Amobeda of the Federal High Court, Kano had on October 22, 2024, stopped the Kano State Independent Electoral Commission from conducting any election for councilors and chairmen of the 44 Local Government Areas of the state until conditions precedent were met as required by law.

In the judgment, Justice Amobeda barred members of the state electoral body from conducting any election on the grounds that they were established card-carrying members of the ruling New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) in Kano State, contrary to Section 197 and 200 of the 1999 Constitution.

Besides, the judge directed the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to release any part of the national voter register to Kano State to conduct the local government polls. The judge had also restrained the police, Department of State Service (DSS), and other security agencies from participating and giving protection during any local government election in Kano State.

Aggrieved by the decisions of the court, the Kano State House of Assembly approached the court of appeal in Abuja, praying for an order to set aside the findings and decisions of Justice Amobeda issued against them.

Their position is that the local government election conduct is entirely the affairs of the Kano State Government and that it is the Kano State High Court that can adjudicate over any matter arising from local government election conduct and not the Federal High Court.