Kano Emirate Saga: Attorney General Clarifies Court of Appeal Ruling, Says Sanusi II’s Reinstatement Stands
In a legal development that has reignited the debate over the Kano Emirate crisis, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has ordered a stay on the enforcement of its January 10 ruling that upheld the Kano State government’s repeal of the 2019 Emirate Council Law. This decision effectively freezes the legal status quo pending a Supreme Court ruling.
However, the Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, has moved swiftly to clarify that the appellate court’s decision does not nullify the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
Court of Appeal Upholds Legal Status Quo
Dederi emphasized that the ruling does not amount to a reversal of the Court of Appeal’s earlier decision, which had reaffirmed the Kano State government’s authority to reinstate Sanusi II.
“It doesn’t mean that the judgment delivered on January 10, 2025, has been quashed. That judgment is still in place and subsisting. The Court of Appeal cannot reverse its own decision. It is not possible. It is only the Supreme Court that has the power to set aside the judgment given by a lower court,” Dederi stated.
The fresh ruling, issued by a three-member panel led by Justice Okon Abang, followed an application from Alhaji Aminu Babba DanAgundi, seeking a stay of execution of the judgment pending the Supreme Court’s verdict.
Background: A Legal Tug-of-War
The dispute traces back to the repeal of the 2019 Emirate Council Law by the Kano State government, which effectively dissolved the five emirates created under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje’s administration and reinstated Sanusi II.
This move was challenged, leading to an earlier ruling by the Court of Appeal in Kano (sitting in Abuja), which set aside a Federal High Court order nullifying the actions taken under the 2024 Emirate Council Law, including Sanusi’s reappointment.
However, the appellants, led by Aminu Babba DanAgundi, escalated the case to the Supreme Court, arguing that the January 10 ruling should not be enforced until a final determination is made by the apex court.
Court’s Justification for the Injunction
In granting the injunction, Justice Abang highlighted that the appeal at the Supreme Court was valid and that maintaining the legal status quo was necessary to prevent any further complications in the litigation process.
“The law is settled. The court is enjoined to exercise its discretion judiciously and in the interest of justice,” he stated.
Furthermore, the court noted that the balance of convenience favored the appellant, given his previous tenure as emir before his removal.
Implications: What Happens Next?
While the injunction restrains enforcement actions related to the January 10 judgment, it does not reverse or invalidate the ruling itself. Essentially, this means that:
- Sanusi II remains the Emir of Kano for now.
- No further steps can be taken to enforce the January 10 decision until the Supreme Court rules on the matter.
- The final resolution rests with the Supreme Court, which will determine the legality of the Kano State government’s decision.
Political and Legal Ramifications
This development further deepens the legal and political complexities surrounding the Kano Emirate crisis. With the Supreme Court now set to weigh in, the outcome could have far-reaching implications for Kano’s traditional leadership structure and the broader political landscape.
For now, Kano remains on edge, as both legal and political stakeholders await the final judgment from Nigeria’s highest court.
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