“LEGAL SHOWDOWN: COURT RULES IN FAVOR OF DEPOSED EMIR SANUSI IN BAYERO DISPUTE”

Babatunji Wusu –

Justice Liman Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Kano has affirmed the court’s jurisdiction to adjudicate the case involving the deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero. In a ruling delivered on Thursday, the Federal High Court asserted its competence in addressing the dispute concerning the Kano Emirate controversy.

Justice Mohammed clarified that his court is empowered to examine the lawsuit brought by Aminu Babba Dan Agundi on behalf of Ado Bayero, as the claims made by the applicants focus on infringements of fundamental rights rather than purely chieftaincy issues. He emphasized that based on this premise, the court inherently possesses the authority to review, hear, and reach decisions on the matter. Furthermore, he affirmed that the Federal High Court retains the jurisdiction to initiate and continue proceedings in this case.

To provide context, on May 23, the Kano State Assembly passed the Kano Emirates Council (repeal) bill, which was subsequently ratified by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, resulting in the dissolution of the newly established emirates in the state. Following this, the governor reinstated Lamido Sanusi as the sole Emir of Kano. However, Aminu Ado Bayero, who was deposed as the Emir of Kano due to the governor’s actions, contested the decision in court through a lawsuit filed by the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi.