Kano Emirship Tussle: Court Affirms Jurisdiction in Bayero vs Sanusi Case

The Federal High Court in Kano has ruled that it has the jurisdiction to hear the case between deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero and reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II .

The case was brought by Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, a senior councillor in the emirate, who alleges that his fundamental human rights were violated in the emirship tussle. The court had previously granted an order restraining the governor from enforcing a new chieftaincy law.

The respondents, including the Kano State Government, had argued that the case was a state affair and outside the federal court’s jurisdiction . However, Justice Abdullahi Liman ruled that the court can hear the case based on the applicant’s fundamental human rights, citing sections 42 and 315 of the 1999 constitution .

The case has been adjourned until Friday for a hearing of all pending applications, with the judge noting that the case is “too sensitive to be dragged for too long” .