The Court of Appeal in Abuja has reversed its earlier decision blocking the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II in the ongoing Kano Emirship dispute.
On Tuesday, March 25, the Court of Appeal’s five-member panel, led by Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, unanimously decided that the Kano State government’s plea was withdrawn after the appeal was forwarded to the Supreme Court.
Following the transmission of the case records to the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal acknowledged the development and advised all parties involved to exercise patience. It emphasized the importance of waiting for the Supreme Court’s ruling before taking any further action.
Also, Ibrahim Wangida, the state attorney for Kano, informed the court during the hearing to decide whether to implement its previous ruling that a notice of appeal had been filed against a stay of execution that had been delivered on Friday, March 14, 2025.
According to reports, the Kano lawyer informed the court that all necessary legal measures had been taken, including moving the case to the Supreme Court. By implication and based on judicial precedent, the transfer of the appeal record to the Supreme Court automatically puts a hold on any actions or decisions made by the Court of Appeal on March 14, 2025.
However, recall that Justice Okon Abang ordered a stay of execution on the earlier judgment that upheld the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano. The Kano State Government’s counsel, Wangida, challenged the ruling, arguing that it was a serious misinterpretation of constitutional provisions, especially since an appeal had already been filed before the Supreme Court.
In response to the application notice, the appellant’s counsel, Abdul Fagge, did not object and stated that the respondent had acted within constitutional limits.
The Kano royal dispute began after the state government amended the chieftaincy law, leading to the removal of Aminu Ado-Bayero and the reinstatement of Sanusi, sparking a prolonged legal battle.
The legal dispute between Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero over the Kano Emirate has seen significant developments in recent months. In January 2025, recall that the Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered significant rulings concerning the Kano Emirate dispute between Muhammadu Sanusi II and Aminu Ado Bayero.
A three-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Mustapha overturned a previous judgment by the Federal High Court, which had nullified Sanusi’s reappointment as the 16th Emir of Kano. The appellate court found that the original suit was wrongfully filed as a basic rights enforcement case and that the lower court lacked jurisdiction over chieftaincy affairs. Sanusi was instantly reinstated as the Emir of Kano by this ruling.
In a related ruling, the Court of Appeal ordered a fresh hearing for the suit filed by Aminu Ado Bayero challenging his dethronement. The appellate court found that Bayero had been denied a fair hearing, as the Kano State High Court proceeded without serving him a hearing notice, thus depriving him of the opportunity to present his case.
Consequently, the case was remitted to the Chief Judge of the Kano State High Court for reassignment and expedited determination.
Meanwhile, fingers are pointing toward President Tinubu, asserting that he is the brain behind the emirship tussle in Kano State.
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