The legal dispute over the Kano Emirate leadership has taken a new turn as the Court of Appeal in Abuja has suspended the enforcement of its January 10 judgment, which upheld the Kano State Government’s decision to repeal the 2019 Emirate Council Law.
This suspension will remain in effect until the Supreme Court delivers a final ruling on the matter.
Earlier, the appellate court in Kano had overturned a Federal High Court ruling from June 20, 2024, which had declared the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 invalid. This law had led to the dissolution of the five emirates created in 2019 and facilitated the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano. The appeal court ruled that chieftaincy matters fall under the jurisdiction of state courts, rendering the Federal High Court’s decision inappropriate.
In response, the Kano State Government escalated the case to the Supreme Court and sought an injunction to prevent the implementation of the appellate court’s ruling while awaiting the final verdict.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Okon Abang, ruled in favor of Aminu Babba Dan (Sarkin Dawaki Babba), who had originally filed a suit in Kano to protect his fundamental rights. The court found merit in his application and determined that maintaining the status quo would be in the best interest of justice.
As a result, the appellate court ordered a pause on Sanusi’s reinstatement until the Supreme Court resolves the case. It also prohibited the Kano State Government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, and security agencies from acting on the January 10 ruling.
Additionally, the applicant was instructed to submit an undertaking within 14 days, agreeing to indemnify the respondents if the court later deems the order unnecessary.
This ruling further extends the uncertainty surrounding the Kano Emirate’s leadership as the legal battle moves toward the Supreme Court.