Sanusi Lamido Turbaned as 16th Emir of Kano Amidst Legal Tussle

iexclusivenews – Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been officially reinstated as the 16th Emir of Kano, receiving his letter of appointment from Governor Abba Yusuf on Friday.

The ceremony took place at the Kano State Government House, where Sanusi was also turbaned to mark his return to the throne.

Legal Challenges

However, the reinstatement has faced legal challenges. Earlier on Friday, a Federal High Court in Kano issued an order preventing the state government from enforcing the new law.

Justice Mohammed Liman instructed the government to “suspend” and “not give effect to the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, 2024,” affecting all offices and institutions created under the 2019 law.

This legal action was initiated by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, who filed an application leading to the court’s order.

READ MORE: Kano Assembly Dissolves Four New Emirates Created by Ganduje

Background and Context

The state assembly had passed the amended Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024, dissolving the four new emirate councils created by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

This decision was made during a special plenary session amidst tight security.

The new law repealed the 2019 version that had divided the Kano Emirate into five jurisdictions and led to Sanusi’s removal as emir in 2020.

The new legislation restored the emirate system to its original format and empowered the governor to reinstate Sanusi.

Government’s Action Despite Legal Injunction

Despite the legal injunction, the government proceeded with Sanusi’s reinstatement.

Governor Yusuf had announced Sanusi’s reinstatement on Thursday after signing the amended Kano State Emirate Council Law ¹.

Reactions and Next Steps

The development has sparked reactions from various quarters, with some hailing the reinstatement as a victory for justice and others expressing concerns about the legal implications.

The matter is expected to come up for hearing on June 3, 2024, and it remains to be seen how the situation will unfold.