Court Adjourns Ruling in Kano Mini Palace Renovation Dispute

A court has postponed its ruling on the dispute over the renovation of the Kano Mini Palace, extending the legal battle surrounding the project’s costs and approvals. The new hearing date is yet to be announced.

The Kano State High Court, under the leadership of Chief Judge Justice Dije Aboki, has postponed its decision on a significant application aimed at stopping Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, from continuing renovations on the historic Nasarawa mini palace. The court is scheduled to deliver its ruling on October 10, 2024.

The plaintiffs, comprising the Kano State Government, the state’s Attorney General, and the Kano Emirate Council, aim to protect and maintain both the current structure of the palace and its cultural heritage. They oppose any attempts to modernize it. Emir Bayero has been identified as the only defendant in this case.

During the hearing on the motion on notice, Habib Akilu, representing the plaintiff, pointed out that the defendant’s legal team was not present.

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“The substantive application is ready to be heard,” Akilu stated, subsequently requesting an interlocutory injunction to prevent the Emir from “reconstructing, demolishing, or modifying the appearance of the mini palace” until a final judgment is issued by the court.

In response, Justice Aboki scheduled the ruling on the application for October 10. She also instructed that all relevant court documents be displayed on the court’s notice board to ensure all parties remain informed about the proceedings.

On September 13, 2024, the plaintiffs successfully obtained an interim injunction stopping the Emir from undertaking any renovation work after a proposed prototype plan for modernizing the palace was released. This decision by the court followed an ex parte motion filed on September 12 by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rilwanu Umar, who is leading counsel for the plaintiffs.

In a 33-paragraph affidavit accompanying the motion, deposed by Ibrahim Ahmed, the Matawallen Kano, the plaintiffs contended that any modifications to the palace would harm its historical value and cultural significance.

“The Nasarawa mini palace represents our cultural heritage,” stated Alhaji Ibrahim Ahmed. “Modernization, particularly through the suggested renovations, would compromise the architectural essence and historical significance that this palace embodies.”

The court had previously instructed all parties to preserve the structural and architectural integrity of the palace until a final decision was reached.