Supremacy Battle: Another Court Orders Emir Sanusi’s Ejection From Kano Palace

As controversy rages over developments within the Kano emirate, another Court in Kano has ordered the Police to eject the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, from the Emir’s Palace at Kofar Kudu area of Kano metropolis.

Ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, on Tuesday, the Federal High Court sitting in Kano also ordered the police to ensure all rights and privileges due to Emir Bayero were given to him.

Additionally, the court, presided over by Justice S. A. Amobeda, restrained the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Commissioner of Police in the State, and the seven other respondents in the suit from denying Bayero the use of his official residence at the Emir’s Palace in Kofar Kudu area of the city, as well as enjoyment of all rights and privileges accrued to him by virtue of being the Emir of Kano.

Justice Amobeda granted the order after hearing from M.L. Yusufari (SAN), appearing with Abdul Muhammad, (SAN),, Abdul Adamu Fagge, Esq, Abdulrazak A. Ahmad, Esq, and Bashiru Ibrahim, Esq, all counsels for the applicant.

According to the judge, the ruling was in the overall interest of justice and the maintenance of peace in Kano State.

The latest development is coming on the heels of  a similar order granted on Monday by the Kano State High Court against the embattled Emir Bayerowho was recently removed from office by the Kano State government.

In the latest court’s document obtained in Kano on Tuesday, the orders issued read thus; “1. AN ORDER of interim injunction restraining the Respondents either by themselves, their agents, servants, privies, or any other person or authority from inviting, arresting, detaining, threatening, intimidating, harassing the applicant, raiding, tempering with or visiting the applicant’s in order to arrest or infringe on his right or in any order to arrest or infringe on his right or in any other way infringe or atempt to infringe the applicant’s rights pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion.

“2. An order restraining the 3rd, 4th, and 5th respondents and all other respondents from denying the applicant the right the right to use his official residence and palace at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu, as well as enjoyment of all rights and privileges accrued to him by virtue of being the Emir of Kano State, and to evicting anybody residing within the palace illegally pending the hearing and the determination of the originating summons.

“3. An order granting leave to the bailiff of this court to serve the 3rd and 4th respondents with all processes in this suit through the office of the fifth respondent situated at Police Headquarters, Kano Command, Bompai, Kano State, and deeming the service as valid, and

“4. An order granting leave to the bailiff of this Court to serve the 6th and 7th respondents with all processes in this suit through their respective Kano offices situated at Giginyu, Kano, and Zaria Road, Kano, and deeming the service as valid, personal, and proper.

“And for such other orders as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstances.”

The suit, which was adjourned to 4th June 2024 for hearing, has as the defendants, Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), the Attorney General of Kano State, the Nigeria Police Force, Inspector General of Police, Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, and Nigerian Air Force.

The tussle over the Kano emirship was sparked off by the Kano State House of Assembly’s decision to repeal the law that created additional four emirates in the State with Aminu Bayero appointed as Emir of Kano.

The lawmakers’ action paved the way for Governor Abba Yusuf to announce the removal of Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano and reinstatement of Sanusi II, who was deposed by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje-led administration about four years ago.

Earlier on May 23, the Federal High Court in Kano had stopped the Kano State government from implementing the Kano Emirate Law 2024 as amended by the State Assembly and signed into law by Governor Yusuf.