The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned the Federal High Court's decision that nullified Muhammadu Sanusi II's appointment as Emir of Kano. The appellate court ruled that the case should have been heard by the Kano State High Court, ordering the transfer of the suit.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a ruling that nullified the appointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano. A three-member panel led by Justice Gabriel Kolawole ruled that the previous decision was made without proper jurisdiction. The court emphasized that such a chieftaincy dispute should have been handled by the Kano State High Court, not the Federal High Court.
The Federal High Court had previously annulled the Kano State Government's law reinstating Sanusi II, following a suit filed by Aminu Baba-Dan’Agundi. The lower court had instructed all parties involved, including the Kano State House of Assembly, to maintain the status quo during Emir Ado Bayero's reign.
However, the appellate court disagreed with this ruling. Citing Section 251 of the Nigerian Constitution, it argued that this was a chieftaincy matter rather than a fundamental rights issue. Therefore, the case must be transferred to the Kano State High Court for further determination.
The Court of Appeal also imposed a fine of N500,000 on Baba-Dan’Agundi, payable to the Kano State House of Assembly. This ruling has significant implications for the ongoing tussle over the Emirship of Kano, with the matter now set to proceed in the state judiciary.
