…Awards N10m fine against Kano Govt.
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja, on Tuesday, declared that the banishment of the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II from Kano State as unlawful and unconstitutional.
Ruling on the matter, the trial judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere, said that the 1999 constitution of Nigeria as amended is supreme, stressing that any law that is inconsistent with it is null and void.
Justice Chikere also ruled that the Emirate Council Law, 2019, used by the Kano State Government in banishing Emir Sanusi was in conflict with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.
The Court ruled that the former emir has the right to live anywhere, including Kano State, as enshrined in the 1999 constitution.
Sanusi, who was dethroned on March 9, 2020, had on March 12, 2020, sued the Inspector-General of Police and the Director General of the State Security Services, (SSS) over “unlawful detention/confinement.”
Joined in the suit with number FHC/ABJ/CS/357/2020 were the Attorney-General of Kano State and the Attorney General of the Federation as 3rd and 4th respondents respectively.
Sanusi, who did not challenge his dethronement as emir of Kano, however, sought an interim order of the court releasing him from the detention and/or confinement of the respondents and restoring his right to human dignity and personal liberty.
The former emir also challenged the respondents for harassing him and violating his rights.
The Court however struck out the name of the Attorney General of the Federation from the suit, but restrained the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents from further harassing the former emir.
The court also awarded a N10 million fine against the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents and ordered them to tender a public apology to Sanusi in two national newspapers.
