The Court of Appeal in Abuja has put a hold on the enforcement of its January 10 judgment, which had upheld the Kano State Government’s decision to repeal the 2019 Emirate Council Law.
This suspension will remain in effect until the Supreme Court delivers a final verdict on the matter.
Previously, the Court of Appeal in Kano had set aside a Federal High Court ruling from June 20, 2024, which had nullified the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024. This law had led to the dissolution of five emirates created in 2019 and facilitated the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano. The appellate court ruled that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, which should be handled by state courts.
In reaction, the Kano State Government took the case to the Supreme Court and sought an injunction to prevent the implementation of the appellate court’s decision until a final ruling is made.
A three-member panel, led by Justice Okon Abang, ruled in favor of Aminu Babba Dan (Sarkin Dawaki Babba), who had originally filed a suit in Kano to defend his fundamental rights. The court found merit in his application and concluded that maintaining the status quo would best serve the interest of justice.
As a result, the court ordered that Sanusi’s reinstatement be put on hold until the Supreme Court rules on the matter. It also barred the Kano State Government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, and security agencies from enforcing the appellate court’s January 10 ruling.
Additionally, the applicant was directed to submit an undertaking within 14 days, agreeing to indemnify the respondents should the court later determine that the order was unnecessary.
This ruling prolongs the legal uncertainty surrounding the Kano Emirate’s leadership as the case moves toward the Supreme Court for a final resolution.
