Yesterday’s ruling by the Federal High Court in Kano sank the emirate into more turmoil.
Justice Mohammed Liman nullified the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
While the judge did not invalidate the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, he held that actions taken so far on its basis were null and void due to the state government’s failure to maintain the status quo as he ordered.
But, the state government swiftly interpreted the order to favour it.
It asked the police to evict the deposed Emir, Ado Bayero, from the Nasarawa palace, which it said will be demolished for renovation.
The state government insisted that Sanusi remained the Emir because it received the order for status quo on May 27, having reinstated Sanusi on May 23.
Justice Liman had granted a virtual order on May 23 restraining the state government from enforcing the Emirate Law that reinstated Sanusi.
Yesterday, the judge slammed the state government for defying the order.
Justice Liman noted that Governor Abba Yusuf was aware of the order.
Following Bayero’s removal, a kingmaker, Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, challenged the law and obtained the order against its enforcement.
Yesterday, Justice Liman agreed with the applicant and set aside actions taken based on the law.
He held that the defendants were aware of the interim order but chose to ignore it by implementing the law.
Justice Liman ruled: “I hereby order that every step taken by the government is hereby nullified and becomes null and invalid.
“This does not affect the validity of the repealed Emirates Law but actions taken by the governor, which include assenting to the law and the reappointment of Sanusi.
“I have listened to an audio recording of the governor, both in Hausa and English, after assenting to the law.
“I am convinced that the respondents are aware of the order of maintaining status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motions on notice in the court.
“Having been satisfied that the respondents are aware of the court order, the court in the exercise of its powers hereby sets aside all actions taken in violation of the order.
“It is a very serious matter for anyone to flout the orders of the court.”
The judge added that the “catastrophic situation could have been averted if the respondents followed due processes by complying with the court order”.
