The Court of Appeal in Abuja has suspended the enforcement of its judgment that had nullified a Federal High Court ruling against the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano.
A three-man panel of the appellate court, led by Justice Okong Abang, delivered the ruling on Friday, pending the final determination of the Kano Emirate dispute by the Supreme Court.
The legal battle stems from the controversial passage of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which restructured the traditional leadership system in the state.
Sanusi’s reinstatement followed the repeal of the 2019 Emirate Council Law, which had split the Kano Emirate into five jurisdictions under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.
However, the legal dispute was initiated by Alhaji Aminu Babba-Dan’agundi (Sarkin Dawaki Babba), a prominent kingmaker, who challenged the law and its subsequent actions.
In June 2024, the Federal High Court in Kano nullified all steps taken by the Kano State Government regarding Sanusi’s reappointment. Justice Abdullahi Muhammad-Liman ruled that:
“Every step or action taken by the respondents (Kano State House of Assembly and others) pursuant to the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 is null and void and is set aside.”
Despite this, the state government and House of Assembly challenged the ruling at the Appeal Court, which in January 2025 overturned the lower court’s decision and ordered a retrial, stating that the trial court lacked jurisdiction.
Dissatisfied with the Appeal Court’s decision, Babba-Dan’agundi took the matter to the Supreme Court and simultaneously filed for an injunction restraining the enforcement of the appellate ruling.
On Friday, Justice Abang granted the injunction, stating that the applicant had an arguable appeal before the Supreme Court that warranted protection of legal rights pending final determination.
“An injunction is hereby granted restraining the respondents (Kano State House of Assembly, Kano State Government, etc.), either by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, or personal representatives, from enforcing the judgment of this Court in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024, pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s appeal before the Supreme Court of Nigeria,” the judge ruled.
Additionally, the court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, meaning that the situation should revert to how it was before the legal conflict began.
The suspension of Sanusi’s reinstatement deepens the uncertainty surrounding the Kano Emirate leadership.
The traditional council plays a crucial role in the socio-political and economic fabric of Kano State, and the ongoing legal tussle has left the throne in a state of limbo.
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