In a landmark ruling, a Federal High Court in Kano nullified the Kano Emirate Council (Amendment No. 2) Law, 2024, which had dissolved four of the state’s five emirate councils and removed all five emirs, including Aminu Ado-Bayero of Kano. This ruling effectively restores the 2019 law that established the Bichi, Karaye, Rano, and Gaya emirates.
On May 23, Governor Abba Yusuf signed the bill that repealed the State Emirate Council Law 2019. The Kano State House of Assembly passed this bill earlier the same day, dissolving the four emirates created by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
Following the repeal, Governor Yusuf reinstated Mr. Sanusi as the sole emir of Kano State. However, Aminu Dan’agundi, a title holder in the Kano emirate, challenged this decision in the Federal High Court.
Presiding Judge Abdullahi Liman, in case number FHC/KN/CS/182/2024, initially ordered a halt to the implementation of the new emirate law pending a substantive hearing. On Thursday, arriving at 3:08 p.m., Judge Liman delivered a ruling lasting about an hour, declaring the appointment of Mr. Sanusi as Kano emir null and void. The judge criticized the government for ignoring the court’s earlier order to cease actions related to the new emirate council law.
Judge Liman condemned Governor Yusuf’s reappointment of Mr. Sanusi, calling it a path to anarchy. He emphasized that disregarding a court order despite clear evidence of service indicates a dangerous trajectory for governance.
The court ordered the restoration of the Kano Emirate Council Law 2019, re-establishing the five emirates of Kano, Bichi, Karaye, Rano, and Gaya.
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