A Federal High Court in Kano has issued an order halting the enforcement of the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law by the Kano State Government.
Justice Mohammed Liman granted the order following an application by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate.
According to reports, court papers on the case have been circulating online.
On Thursday, the Kano State House of Assembly dissolved all four newly created emirate councils in the state. The dissolution of these Emirates followed discussions on the floor of the House during plenary.
Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, on the same day, reinstated Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, four years after his dethronement by former Governor Umar Ganduje.
Furthermore, the Governor deposed five emirs appointed by Ganduje and issued them a 48-hour ultimatum to vacate their official residences and palaces, directing them to transfer all responsibilities to the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs.
In the ongoing legal battle concerning the Emir’s position, it’s reported that the respondents in the fundamental rights case include various government bodies and officials.
Meanwhile, the court instructed that all legal processes be served on the Inspector-General of Police in Abuja.
The judge ruled, “That parties are hereby ordered to maintain status quo ante the passage and assent of the bill into law pending the hearing of the fundamental rights application.”
He also stated, “That this case is adjourned to the 3rd day of June 2024, for hearing of the fundamental rights application.”
The repealed law, previously known as the Kano State Emirs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, had established Rano, Karaye, Gaya, and Bichi Emirates alongside Kano.
With the repeal of the law, the newly created emirates have been dissolved, consolidating the Kano Emirate once again under a single ruler.