The Court of Appeal in Abuja has stopped the reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, pending the appeal before the Supreme Court.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Okon Abang, unanimously ruled to suspend the enforcement of the January 10 judgment, which had previously vacated the nullification of Sanusi II’s appointment.
Key Rulings from the Appeal Court
The January 10 judgment held that the nullification of Sanusi II’s appointment by a Kano State High Court was made without jurisdiction and ordered the case’s transfer.
The Federal High Court in Kano, in June 2024, had nullified the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which reinstated Sanusi II as Emir.
The appellate court ruled that the chieftaincy dispute should have been handled by the Kano State High Court and not the Federal High Court.
The Court of Appeal awarded N500,000 in costs against Aminu Baba-Dan’Agundi in favor of the Kano State House of Assembly.
Legal Implications
Justice Abang emphasized that the case must be preserved because Sanusi II served as Emir for five years before his removal. The ruling also underscores that chieftaincy and legislative disputes should be handled at the state high court level, not federal courts.
The matter now awaits Supreme Court determination.
