On Friday, Abba Yusuf, the governor of Kano State, declared that he would bring Justice Mohammed Liman of a Federal High Court before the Nigeria Governors’ Forum. This is in reaction to an order made by Justice Liman, who was purportedly in the United States at the time, to stop the restoration of Sanusi Lamido as the 16th Emir of Kano, according to a report published by The Punch Newspapers. Governor Yusuf questioned the appropriateness and constitutionality of such acts, criticizing the judge for giving the decision remotely.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
The contentious court order arose from an application by Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate. Dan Agundi sought to prevent the Kano State Government from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law, which had previously dethroned all five emirs in the state, including Sanusi Lamido.
The law, a significant point of controversy in Kano State politics, was seen by many as a politically motivated move to undermine the power and influence of the traditional emirs. In his response to the court order, Governor Yusuf expressed his dismay and frustration during a gathering at Africa House, within the Kano State Government House, where he had issued a letter reinstating Sanusi.
“The person that issued the court order was in America but he is ordering us to stop what we are doing,” Yusuf stated. His remarks reveals his view that the judge’s actions were an abuse of judicial power, particularly given the geographical distance from where the order was issued.
Governor Yusuf emphasized his commitment to due process and transparency, asserting that the state government’s actions were conducted openly and in accordance with legal protocols. “This issue of abuse I must present it before the Governor’s Forum so that we can tackle it accordingly. We are agents of following due process, that’s why we did what we did openly before everybody. Those that are meant to maintain that rule of law must follow that also,” he added.
The reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido as the Emir of Kano has been a highly polarizing issue. Sanusi, a former Central Bank Governor, was dethroned in March 2020 by the administration of Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. His removal was met with widespread criticism, seen by many as retribution for his outspoken views and criticisms of government policies and corruption.
The current administration’s efforts to reinstate him have been viewed by his supporters as a step towards rectifying a political wrong. Justice Liman’s order to halt the reinstatement, however, has added another layer of complexity to the ongoing saga. The judge’s decision to issue the order while outside the country has raised questions about judicial conduct and the limits of judicial authority.CONTINUE FULL READING>>>>>
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