The recent turnaround in the situation in 2024 around the revocation of the Kano Emirates Law and the reinstatement of Emir Sanusi, constitutes a major twist in the political landscape of Kano State. The decision rendered on Thursday, June 20 by the court, annulling all measures taken by the Kano State government to repeal the Emirates Act, has deeply shaken the foundations of the ruling power.
It is important to recall that the Kano State House of Assembly had repealed the law that abolished the four emirates of Bichi, Rano, Karaye and Gaya created by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje. Governor Yusuf had signed and implemented the law, which resulted in the removal of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, and the reinstatement of Sanusi, deposed by Ganduje in 2020.
Not satisfied with the development, an eminence grise of the former Kano Emirate, Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba, has challenged the legitimacy of the state government’s action in court. Supported by his lawyer, Chikaosolu Ojukwu (SAN), the king asked the court to declare the repealed law null and void.
In his judgment delivered on Thursday 20, the judge ruled that the Kano government and the state Attorney General were aware of an order issued virtually on May 23, 2024, but wrongly believed that “the order had been issued abroad.
He stressed that anarchy would reign if court orders were allowed to be disobeyed without consequences, saying any act of contempt towards a court is antithetical to democracy. “I listened to the audio recording of the Governor, in Hausa and English, after the enactment of the law, and I am satisfied that the respondents were aware of the current status order pending the hearing and ruling on motions upon notice to the court.
This judgment had a profound impact on the country and called into question the balance of powers and respect for judicial authority. It raises important questions about democracy, the rule of law and the separation of powers. As Kano State recovers from this historic court ruling, it is clear that this twist will have long-term repercussions for the entire country, and it will be interesting to closely monitor future developments.