JUST IN: Appeal Court Overturns Order Nullifying Sanusi’s Appointment as Emir of Kano

The Court of Appeal in Kano has overturned a Federal High Court ruling that nullified the steps taken by the Kano State Government under the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, including the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Delivering its judgment on Friday, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, sitting in Abuja, declared that the June 20 ruling by Justice Abubakar Liman lacked jurisdiction. The appellate court held that Justice Liman’s decision, which had invalidated the actions of the Kano State Government under the 2024 law, was based on an improper fundamental rights enforcement suit.

The case was initiated by an aggrieved kingmaker, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi. However, the Court of Appeal ruled that the Federal High Court did not have the authority to hear the suit, rendering the initial decision invalid. The judgment was delivered in response to an appeal filed by the Kano State House of Assembly and its Speaker, marked CA/KN/140/2024, against Agundi and others.

The Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, enacted by the state’s House of Assembly and signed into law by the governor on May 23, 2024, reversed several decisions made by the previous administration. These included the dismissal of Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano, the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir, and the annulment of five new emirates created during Umar Ganduje’s tenure.

Justice Liman’s earlier ruling had voided these actions, claiming they violated a May 23, 2024, order for all parties to maintain the status quo in Agundi’s suit. However, the appellate court’s decision has now restored the legality of the Kano State Government’s actions under the 2024 law.

More to follow………