The Court of Appeal has reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano, delivering a significant victory for the embattled royal figure. The judgment, issued on Friday, overturned a Federal High Court ruling that had invalidated his appointment, affirming the sanctity of Kano’s traditional leadership structure.
In its decision, the appellate court stated that the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Abdullahi Liman, lacked jurisdiction to rule on the appointment of a first-class emir. Justice Mohammed Mustapha, leading a three-member panel, declared, “Chieftaincy issues do not fall within the purview of the Federal High Court.”
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The controversy stemmed from a suit by Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, a member of the Kano Emirate Council under the former emir, Aminu Ado Bayero. Dan’Agundi had challenged the dissolution of Kano’s five emirates and the appointment of Sanusi, arguing it infringed on his fundamental rights.
The Court of Appeal dismissed this claim, stating, “The principal reliefs sought are not related to fundamental human rights but are purely chieftaincy matters.” Citing Section 251 of Nigeria’s Constitution, the court reinforced that only a state high court could handle such disputes.
The appellate court also overturned an earlier ruling by Justice Amina Aliyu of the Kano High Court, which barred Bayero from claiming the throne. It directed a fresh hearing on the matter, criticizing the initial decision for violating fair hearing principles.
Sanusi, who was reinstated on May 3, 2024, by Governor Abba Yusuf, following the enactment of the Kano Emirates Repeal Law, now remains the legitimate 16th Emir of Kano. His return marks the end of a protracted legal battle, cementing his position as one of Kano’s most prominent leaders in recent history.
