In a significant legal development, the Court of Appeal in Abuja on Friday, March 14, 2025, suspended the enforcement of its earlier judgment delivered on January 10, which had upheld the Kano State Government’s decision to repeal the 2019 Emirate Council Law.
The appellate court’s ruling effectively puts a hold on the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, a move which had sparked widespread public discourse and legal battles.
Kano Assembly Speaker Hails Appeal Court Victory For Emir Sanusi
Background of the Case
The legal dispute stems from the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which was passed by the Kano State House of Assembly and subsequently signed into law by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
This law dissolved the five emirates created under the 2019 Kano State Emirate Council Law by the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and paved the way for the reinstatement of Sanusi II, who was deposed in 2020.
In June 2024, the Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Abdullahi Liman, nullified the actions taken under the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024. This included the dissolution of the five emirates—Bichi, Karaye, Rano, Gaya, and Kano—and the reinstatement of Sanusi II as the sole Emir of Kano.
Appeal and Latest Ruling
Dissatisfied with the Federal High Court’s decision, parties aligned with the ousted emirs and the former government sought redress at the Court of Appeal in Abuja. The appellate court’s ruling on March 14, 2025, set aside the June 20, 2024 order of the Federal High Court and temporarily halted any further action related to Sanusi II’s reinstatement.
In its decision, the Court of Appeal emphasized the need to maintain the status quo until the substantive appeal is fully heard and determined. This means that Sanusi II cannot exercise the powers of the Emir of Kano until the legal process is concluded.
Implications of the Ruling
- Suspension of Sanusi II’s Reign: The ruling means that Sanusi II cannot function as the Emir of Kano, effectively halting his return to the royal seat.
- Validity of the Repeal Law in Question: The court’s decision casts doubt on the legality of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, pending a full judicial review.
- Continued Legal Battle: With the appeal ongoing, the matter remains far from resolved, leaving the traditional leadership of Kano in a state of uncertainty.
Reactions to the Judgment
Legal and political analysts have described the appellate court’s ruling as a temporary relief for those opposed to Sanusi II’s reinstatement. However, supporters of Sanusi II argue that the law remains valid and will ultimately prevail when the case is decided on its merits.
The Kano State Government has yet to issue an official statement on the ruling. Meanwhile, legal observers anticipate further legal fireworks as the case proceeds to its final adjudication.
Historical Context
Muhammadu Sanusi II was initially appointed Emir of Kano in 2014 but was controversially deposed in 2020 by the administration of former Governor Ganduje, following years of political tension. His recent reinstatement by the current administration under Governor Abba Yusuf was widely viewed as a symbolic reversal of his previous removal.
The unfolding legal saga underscores the deep intersection of traditional authority, political power, and judicial oversight in Nigeria’s governance landscape.
