JUST IN) Appeal Court Stops Kano Govt from Reinstating Sanusi as Emir

The Court of Appeal has ruled against the Kano State government’s plan to reinstate Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir, halting the reinstatement process. Read more on the legal battle.

In the latest turn of events in the ongoing Kano Emirate leadership dispute, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has temporarily halted enforcement of its January 10 decision, which had upheld the repeal by the Kano State Government of the 2019 Emirate Council Law.

In a ruling issued on Friday, a panel of three justices headed by Justice Okon Abang made decisions regarding the injunction in two cases identified as CA/KN/27M/2025 and CA/KN/28M/2025.

Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi filed lawsuits against the Kano State Government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, alongside other security agencies.

On February 6, 2025, Dan’agundi submitted an application seeking an order to halt the respondents from enforcing the appellate court’s judgment until a final decision is made by the Supreme Court.

The application contended that the original trial court did not have jurisdiction over the case and highlighted the importance of preventing irreversible actions while the appeal remains pending.

The application further asserted that the 2024 Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, enacted by the state assembly and approved by the governor, lawfully dissolved the newly created emirates and reinstated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.

In a unanimous decision, the appellate panel ruled in favor of the applicant, stating that issuing an injunction to prevent the Kano government from reinstating Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano was essential for serving justice.

“The law is clear. Justice Abang emphasized that the court must use its discretion wisely and in favor of justice.”

He mentioned that the injunction maintains conditions as they were prior to the trial court’s decision on June 13, 2024, in case number FHC/KN/CS/182/2024.

The panel stressed the importance of preserving the subject of litigation, as a legitimate appeal was already pending before the Supreme Court.

In my opinion, Justice Abang ruled that the balance of convenience tilts in his favor and it is appropriate to protect him until the Supreme Court makes a determination.

The court prohibited the respondents from implementing the January 10 judgment and ordered that the current situation be preserved until the Supreme Court issues its decision. Additionally, it instructed the applicant to submit an undertaking within 14 days, pledging to compensate the respondents if this order is eventually found to be unwarranted.

The appellate decision on January 10 had earlier overturned the ruling of the Federal High Court, which had nullified the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law of 2024. This law disbanded the newly established emirates and reinstated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.

The appellate court determined that the lower court did not have the authority to address chieftaincy issues, as these fall within the jurisdiction of state high courts.

This development represents a new chapter in the prolonged legal struggle concerning the leadership of the Kano Emirate, with ultimate resolution pending before the Supreme Court.