Various groups have lend their voices to the disputed interpretation given to the judgement of the Court of Appeal by the Kano State Government.
The group, under the umbrella of Coalition for Justice and Rule of Law, in a statement signed by its convener, Dr. Bashir Danmalam, viewed with concern over the stance of the government on the disputed court ruling.
He said contrary to the opinion of the government, the Court of Appeal never validated the disputed Emirate Council Law of 2024 nor did the Court of Appeal validated the disputed current government’s actions regarding the chieftaincy appointments and reforms in the state’s traditional institutions.
Danmalam stated that the Court of Appeal never validated or legalised or upheld the disputed actions of the Executive Governor of Kano State pursuant to the disputed Emirate Council Law of 2024.
“Independent and unbiased minds appreciate the fact that the judgement of the Court of Appeal are two in numbers. One overturned the ruling of the Federal High Court on jurisdiction and the other overturned the entire judgement of the Kano State High Court,” he said.
According to him, the judgement of the Court of Appeal in respect of the Federal High Court ruling simply held that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters.
“The judgement is not in support of any of the populations of the Kano State government,” Danmalam said.
On the other side of the divide, the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the sister appeal is clearly in favour of His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero and the other 4 Emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye. This is because the Kano State High Court had earlier declared them improper by virtue of the new Emirate Law of 2024 and further directed the removal of His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero.
The group stated that It is worthy of note that the suit before the High Court was instituted by the Kano State government seeking for the nullification of the Emir ship of His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero, which the High Court eventually granted in order to pave way for legitimacy of Alhaji Muhammad Sunusi II.
It further noted that the State High Court granted these prayers of the government. The judgment of the High Court has now been set aside in its entirety by the Court of Appeal and ordered for retrial before another Judge of the High Court
The implications of this judgement of the Court of Appeal, the group observed, is that the continuous occupation of the Throne by His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero remains legitimate while the purported attempted enthronement of Alhaji Muhammad Sunusi II still remains questionable.
“We extend our appreciation to the Judiciary for upholding the principles of Justice and fairness.
We therefore strongly advise the Kano State government to stop misleading itself and the public that the judgement of the Court of Appeal is in its favour,” the statement added.
The group’s asserted that Alhaji Muhammad Sunusi II should be cautious of parading himself as the Emir of Kano because no Court has affirmed his legitimacy as incumbent Emir.
“He is no doubt the 14th Emir of Kano and we shall continue to accord him that respect,” it stated.
The group’s called on the good people of Kano State to continue to give the necessary support to all the 5 Emirates of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye.
