Kano, 27 May 2024 – Justice Amina Aliyu of the Kano High Court has issued an order restraining the five deposed emirs of Kano from parading themselves as emirs. This decision comes amid ongoing legal battles concerning the status and privileges of the former monarchs.
Reports indicate that the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, has continued to present himself as the emir and resides in the Nassarawa royal residence. This follows a federal high court order obtained by one of his titleholders, Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi, which restrained the Kano State Government from enforcing a new law that dethroned the monarchs.
The case against the five emirs was filed by the Kano State Attorney General, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, and the House of Assembly.
Justice Aliyu’s order explicitly restrains the deposed emirs from continuing to identify as emirs. “That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Defendants either by themselves, servants, privies, and or any other persons or officers serving under them or acting in connection with any other person from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by the Applicants.”
Additionally, Justice Aliyu directed the Kano State Commissioner of Police to enforce the court’s decision regarding the royal residence. “That an order is hereby granted to the extent that the Commissioner of Police Kano State should immediately take over the palace of the Emir of Kano situate being and lying at State Road Kano and evict the 1 Defendant/Respondent from the said palace pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 24th May, 2024.”
The court emphasized that this order aims to maintain peace in Kano. “That an order of this Hon. Court is hereby granted restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th Defendants from parading themselves as Emirs of Kano, Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye in the interest of peace in Kano pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The court has mandated that the Commissioner of Police, Kano State, ensure immediate compliance with this order. “That an order is hereby made that 1st – 5th Defendants be served through the office of the Commissioner Police, Kano State who is to ensure immediate implementation of the order of the Hon. Court in the interest of justice.”
The hearing for the motion on notice has been adjourned to 11 June 2024.
