- Appeal Court Voids High Court Ruling That Nullified Sanusi’s Reappointment
- Bayero’s Case Declared Lacking Merit, Fresh Hearing Ordered
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reinstated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano, overturning an earlier Federal High Court decision that nullified his reappointment. The landmark ruling has sparked celebrations across Kano State, with supporters hailing it as a victory for traditional institutions and justice.
A three-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Mustapha ruled on Wednesday that the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Abubakar Liman, lacked jurisdiction to invalidate the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024. This law, enacted by the Kano State House of Assembly, facilitated Sanusi’s reappointment.
Court Declares Bayero’s Case Baseless
The Appeal Court dismissed the case filed by the deposed 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and a kingmaker, Alhaji Aminu Agundi, declaring it incompetent. The court emphasized that the reliefs sought were related to chieftaincy matters, which fall outside the scope of fundamental human rights enforcement and beyond the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
“Chieftaincy disputes are within the purview of state high courts. The Federal High Court overstepped its authority in this matter,” the court ruled.
Fresh Hearing Ordered
In a related decision, the appellate court directed the Kano State Chief Judge to reassign Bayero’s case against Governor Abba Yusuf to another judge for expeditious hearing. Bayero had challenged his removal by the governor and the reappointment of Sanusi.
Celebrations in Kano
The court’s decision has been met with widespread jubilation in Kano. Supporters of Emir Sanusi view the ruling as a restoration of integrity to the state’s traditional system, marking an end to a prolonged legal battle.
Sanusi’s reappointment came after Governor Yusuf, in 2024, deposed Bayero and reversed the status of four newly created emirates—Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye—returning their leaders to district head status. This move effectively reinstated Sanusi, who had been deposed in 2020 by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
The ruling is seen as a significant moment in the history of Kano’s emirate system, setting a legal precedent for similar disputes in the future.
