A Federal High Court in Kano recently invalidated Muhammad Sanusi II’s reinstatement as the 16th Monarch of Kano, which had occurred just a month earlier due to actions taken by Kano State Governor Abba Yusuf. The court also annulled subsequent actions taken after Sanusi’s reinstatement. However, the Kano State Government has expressed its intention to challenge the ruling.
Baba Dantiye, the Commissioner for Information, confirmed the government’s plan to appeal, stating, “Yes, it’s going to be appealed,” in response to inquiries from journalists. Justice Abdullahi Liman delivered the judgment in a lawsuit filed by a former member of the Kano Emirate, Aminu Babba Danagundi, contesting the removal of the 15th Monarch, Aminu Ado Bayero. Liman’s ruling underscored the respondents’ disregard for court orders and the legal repercussions they face as a result.
The court’s decision has escalated tensions in Kano State, particularly since Bayero’s removal and Sanusi’s subsequent reinstatement on May 23, 2024. The State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Haruna Dederi, interpreted the ruling as affirming Sanusi’s reinstatement despite the repeal of the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law, 2024. Dederi emphasized the government’s viewpoint that the ruling upholds legal principles, leading to actions such as the eviction of Bayero from the Nasarawa palace for reconstruction.
Sanusi, who was initially appointed as the 14th Monarch in 2014, was deposed in 2019 amid disputes with former Governor Umar Ganduje. Following the repeal of the emirate laws and subsequent legal developments, Sanusi was reinstated until the recent legal challenges. The legal situation remains intricate with conflicting court orders and ongoing appeals, causing uncertainty regarding the leadership of the Kano monarchy.
