In a significant legal development, the Kano High Court, situated on Miller Road, has issued an injunction barring the police, State Security Service (SSS), and Nigerian military from evicting Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, following his recent reinstatement.
Presided over by Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, the court order also prohibits the security agencies from arresting or intimidating the emir and his kingmakers.
The ruling states that “an order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondents either by themselves, their agents, privies, representative, and assigns from further harassing, intimidating, inviting, arresting and or invading the personal or official residence of the Applicants (Gidan Rumfa); his servants and or any of the Kano Emirate kingmakers of doing such acts that would be capable of interfering with the Applicants’ rights generally in relation to this suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondents from attempting to hijack, pick, commandeer, confiscate any of twin spear of authority, the Royal Hat of Dabo, the Ostrich-feathered shoes, the knife and sword of the Emir of Kano as well as symbols of authority pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“That an order of interim injunction is hereby made restraining the Respondents from taking further steps in connection with the matter or maintaining status quo of staying all action pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“That it is further ordered that the Respondents are restraining from interfering with the functions, duties of the 1″ Applicant as the Emir of Kano pending the hearing and determination of the mation on notice dated 28 May, 2024.”
This injunction marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the status of Emir Sanusi, whose reinstatement has sparked controversy and drawn widespread attention.
The court’s intervention serves as a temporary shield against potential actions by security agencies and underscores the judiciary’s role in upholding the rule of law amidst political tensions.
The emir, along with four Kano kingmakers – Madakin Kano Yusuf Nabahani, Makaman Kano Ibrahim Sarki Abdullahi, Sarkin Bai Mansur Adnan, and Sarkin Dawaki Maituta Bello Tuta – filed the case.
The hearing for the motion on notice is rescheduled to June 13, 2024.
It’s worth noting that Justice Aliyu had previously issued an order for the eviction of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, from the Nassarawa mini palace on Monday.