A group of Kano-based human rights lawyers has accused the Federal Government of political plot against the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, that reportedly necessitated the cancellation of Sallah durbar festivities across the state’s emirates.

In a strongly worded petition submitted to the State Commissioner of Police, the National Forum of Kano Indigene Lawyers also claimed that the security alert raised as justification for imposing the ban lacked merit and might be a veiled move to curtail the influence of the reinstated monarch.

The police prohibited the UNESCO-certified Kano cultural intangible heritage of humanity after sensing a security breach, even when the 15th emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, cancelled his planned parallel Durbar.

Addressing journalists shortly after submitting their complaint, the leader of the lawyers, Usman Imam TudunWazirchi, insisted that the ban was unnecessary.

He insisted that the so-called security threat has no substantial basis, querying, “If Durbars were allowed to hold in high-risk states like Borno, Katsina, and Zamfara, why not Kano?

“Even during Boko Haram’s peak, such total bans were not implemented.”

The lawyers accused “unpatriotic citizens” and political actors of instigating fears in the minds of peaceful residents simply to prevent the cultural pageantry associated with Emir Sanusi’s return to the palace. They argued that the ban not only infringes on cultural rights but also represents a broader attack on constitutional freedoms.

Referring to the recent Court of Appeal judgment on the emirship, the letter warned against using law enforcement to carry out political persecution.

The lawyers also addressed their concerns to international bodies, including the UN, EU, and African Union, signaling a desire to draw global attention to what they called “an orchestrated attack on Kano’s heritage and legitimate royal leadership.”