A Federal High Court in Kano on Thursday, in a ruling that has significant implications for the traditional leadership in Kano, nullified the reappointment of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
This decision was made in light of the controversial Kano Emirate Council Repeal Law of 2024, which had sparked considerable debate and legal challenges.
The presiding judge, Justice Abdullahi Liman, declared that all actions taken following the enactment of the 2024 law are “null and void.” This ruling effectively reverses the reappointment of Sanusi II and invalidates any decisions or changes implemented under the new law.
Amid this judicial intervention, Justice Liman has instructed all parties involved to maintain the status quo, meaning they should revert to the conditions that existed before the passage of the disputed law.
Additionally, the court has granted the respondents’ request for a stay of proceedings. This pause is to remain in effect until the case is heard and decided by the Court of Appeal. Furthermore, the case has been transferred to Federal High Court 3, indicating that the judicial review process will continue in a different court.
This development is the latest in a series of legal and political maneuvers surrounding the governance and leadership of the Kano Emirate, a historically significant institution in Nigeria. The outcome of the appeal and subsequent hearings will be closely watched, as they will determine the future of Sanusi II’s role and the legal standing of the Kano Emirate Council Repeal Law of 2024.
