A Federal High Court in Kano has ordered the eviction of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II from the Kofar Kudu Palace. Concurrently, a State High Court has issued an order restraining the police and other security agencies from enforcing this eviction order.
On Tuesday, the Federal Court directed the police to ensure that all rights and privileges due to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, are accorded to him as the legitimate Emir of Kano.
The presiding judge, Justice S. A. Amobeda, issued the ex parte order, emphasizing that it was made in the interest of justice and to maintain peace in Kano State.
The Federal Court’s order included: “An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, servants, privies, or any other person or authority, from inviting, arresting, detaining, threatening, intimidating, harassing the applicant, raiding, tampering with or visiting the applicant’s residence in order to arrest or infringe on his rights, or in any other way attempting to infringe on the applicant’s rights pending the hearing and determination of the originating motion.”
Furthermore, the court ordered: “An order restraining the third, fourth, and fifth respondents and all other respondents from denying the applicant the use of his official residence and palace at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu, as well as the enjoyment of all rights and privileges accrued to him by virtue of being the Emir of Kano State, and from evicting any persons residing within the palace illegally, pending the hearing and determination of the originating summons.”
The case has been adjourned until June 4 for further hearing.
In contrast, a State High Court sitting on Miller Road issued an order restraining the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the military from evicting the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
This case was brought by Muhammadu Sanusi II along with four kingmakers of Kano: Madakin Kano, Yusuf Nabahani; Makaman Kano, Ibrahim Sarki Abdullahi; Sarkin Bai, Mansur Adnan; and Sarkin Dawaki Maituta, Bello Tuta.
Presiding judge, Justice Amina Aliyu, restrained the security agencies from arresting or harassing the emir and his kingmakers. She stated: “An order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the respondents, whether by themselves, their agents, privies, representatives, or assigns, from further harassing, intimidating, inviting, arresting, or invading the personal or official residence of the applicants (Gidan Rumfa), their servants, or any of the Kano Emirate kingmakers, or from performing acts that would interfere with the applicants’ rights in relation to this suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
Additionally, the court ordered: “An order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the respondents from attempting to seize, confiscate, or commandeer any of the symbols of authority, including the twin spears, the Royal Hat of Dabo, the Ostrich-feathered shoes, the knife, and the sword of the Emir of Kano, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The respondents are also restrained from interfering with the functions and duties of the first applicant as the Emir of Kano pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated May 28, 2024. The motion on notice has been adjourned until June 13, 2024, for a hearing.
