In a landmark decision, the Federal High Court in Kano has nullified the actions taken by the Kano state government to repeal the Kano Emirates Council Law.
The controversy began when the Kano House of Assembly repealed the law, a move that was swiftly executed by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf.
This led to the dethronement of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano and the reversal of the creation of four new emirates—Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya.
The emirs appointed by former Governor Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje were also dismissed.
The contentious law was further used to reappoint Muhammadu Sanusi II, the 14th Emir of Kano who was dethroned by Ganduje in 2020, as the 16th Emir of Kano.
However, the legal foundation of these actions was challenged by Aminu Babba Danagundi, a prominent kingmaker in the former Kano emirate, known as the Sarkin Dawaki Babba. Represented by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chikaosolu Ojukwu, Danagundi called for the court to declare the law null and void.
On Thursday, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman ruled in favor of the challenge, setting aside the actions taken by the Kano government and ordering all parties to maintain the status quo.
