Appeal Court Suspends Reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano
By MOHAMMED DANBABA
ABUJA – The Court of Appeal Halts Implementation of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s Reinstatement
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has suspended the execution of its earlier judgment that reinstated former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the 16th Emir of Kano. The decision was made on Friday, as the appellate court granted a stay of execution, pending the outcome of an appeal currently before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Okon Abang, ruled unanimously in favor of the motion, citing the need to maintain judicial order while awaiting the Supreme Court’s final verdict on the Kano Emirate tussle. The court held that it found substantial merit in applications marked CA/KN/27M/2025 and CA/KN/28M/2025, both of which were related to the dispute over the Kano Emirate.
Court’s Ruling on the Kano Emirate Dispute
In a decisive ruling, the appellate court stated:
“An injunction is hereby granted restraining the respondents (Kano State House of Assembly, Kano State Government, etc.), either by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, or personal representatives, from enforcing the judgment of this Court in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024 – Kano State House of Assembly & Anor Vs Alhaji Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi & Others, delivered on 10/1/2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s appeal filed on 24/1/2025 before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
Furthermore, the court instructed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum until the Supreme Court delivers its ruling. Additionally, the applicant has been directed to file an undertaking within 48 hours, indemnifying the respondents for any potential damages if the suspension order is found unnecessary.
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Background: Legal Battles Over the Kano Emirate Council
The legal dispute surrounding the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi dates back to June 2024, when Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court invalidated the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024. This law was pivotal in facilitating Sanusi’s reappointment as Emir of Kano, following his controversial removal in 2020.
On January 10, 2025, the Court of Appeal overturned Justice Liman’s ruling, asserting that the lower court lacked the jurisdiction to nullify actions taken by the Kano State Government under the 2024 Emirates Council Law. The appellate court emphasized that the case, initially filed as a fundamental rights enforcement suit by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi—a prominent kingmaker in Kano—was procedurally defective and incompetent.
Implications of the Appeal Court’s Decision
The latest ruling by the Court of Appeal has significant political and legal implications, as it effectively stalls the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi while prolonging the leadership uncertainty in the Kano Emirate. With the Supreme Court set to hear the appeal, the fate of the Kano Emirate leadership remains uncertain.
Legal analysts believe that the Supreme Court’s ruling on the case will set a precedent for similar disputes involving traditional leadership roles and the legislative powers of state governments in Nigeria. The case also highlights the ongoing power struggle between different political factions within Kano State.
What Happens Next?
The next course of action hinges on the Supreme Court’s review of the appeal. Until then, the Kano Emirate remains in a state of limbo. The Kano State Government, the Kano State House of Assembly, and other involved parties must adhere to the appellate court’s directive and refrain from implementing the earlier judgment that reinstated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.
Meanwhile, political observers anticipate increased tensions in the state as various interest groups lobby for their preferred outcomes. The Kano Emirate remains one of the most influential traditional institutions in Nigeria, and the battle over its leadership continues to attract national attention.
Conclusion
The suspension of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi’s reinstatement by the Court of Appeal underscores the complexity of Nigeria’s legal and political landscape. As the case heads to the Supreme Court, all eyes remain on the final verdict that will determine the leadership of the Kano Emirate.
Stay tuned for more updates on the Kano Emirate leadership crisis and the ongoing legal battle.
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Dayo Adesulu, online editor, SEO expert
