A Federal High Court in Kano has issued an ex-parte order preventing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II until a substantive suit against the reinstatement is resolved.
The order also blocks the dissolution of four emirates: Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano.
Previously, it was reported that the reinstatement followed a bill passed by the State House of Assembly on Thursday.
The court instructed all involved parties to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of the suit filed by Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi on Thursday.
Justice A.M. Liman of the Federal High Court permitted the Plaintiff/Applicant to issue and serve their concurrent originating motion, along with other court documents, to the 6th Defendant (Inspector General of Police) in Abuja and outside the court’s jurisdiction.
Defendants in the suit include the Kano State Government, the Kano State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the State Assembly, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Services.
Justice Liman ordered that, due to the constitutional and jurisdictional issues raised, the parties will address the court on these matters during the Fundamental Rights application hearing scheduled for June 3, 2024.
To maintain peace and security, the court granted an interim injunction restraining the respondents from enforcing, executing, implementing, or operationalizing the Kano State Emirate Law Council (Repeal) Law.
All parties are to maintain the status quo as it was before the bill’s passage and assent until the hearing of the Fundamental Rights application.
The judge adjourned the case to June 3, 2024, for a hearing. Governor Abba Yusuf had announced the re-appointment of Emir Sanusi on Thursday.
