The Abuja Court of Appeals temporarily suspended its ruling to uphold the implementation of the Kano State Government’s repeal of the 2019 Emirates Council Law. The court’s ruling is as the Supreme Court awaits resolution.
In its ruling, the Court of Appeal revoked the order of Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court of Kano, which was invalid, and the action taken by the Kano State Government against the Emirates Commission of Kano State (repealed) in 2024. This includes the controversial appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi sanusi as 16th emir of Kano.
The Court of Appeal found that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction in the case because it involved state-specific chief affairs. The Kano State Government was dissatisfied with the judgment, appealed the decision and applied for an injunction in the Court of Appeal to prevent the enforcement of the ruling when the Supreme Court appealed.
On Friday, March 14, three justices led by Justice Okon Abang approved the injunction, agreeing that the application made by Alhaji Aminu Aminu Babba Dan through his legal representative was valid. Dan initially tried to protect his fundamental rights through litigation, he argued that the trial court had no jurisdiction over the matter, and that the Kano Emirate Commission (revoked) law has been passed by the state legislature and agreed by the governor. The law led to the dissolution of the newly created Emirates Airlines and restored Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Kano’s Emir.
The Court of Appeal ruled that the status quo must be maintained until the decision of the Federal High Court is made to ensure that the subject of the lawsuit is preserved until the Supreme Court makes a final decision. The judge stressed that the applicant’s appeal deserves the court’s discretion, especially given that Sanusi’s previous role in Emil.
In its ruling, the court pointed out that facilitating balances are beneficial to the applicant and granting judicial and legal protection injunctions. The court also ordered respondents to avoid executing the January 10 judgment that led to the dissolution of the UAE.
The applicant has been directed to file a compensation lawsuit within 14 days in case the order is mistakenly considered to be wrong.
The latest legal battle stems from the 2024 Kano State Emirates Commission (revoked) law that reversed the creation of five new emirates in the state and restored Sanusi to Kano’s Emir, a position he held five years before his removal. Now, the Supreme Court’s task is to make a final decision on the matter.
