Two courts issue conflicting orders on eviction of reinstated Sheikh Sanusi

May 28 (THEWILL) – The Federal High Court in Kano has ordered the eviction of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II from the Kofar Kudu Emir Palace, while the State High Court has similarly barred the police and other security agencies from enforcing the order.

The Federal High Court also ordered the police to guarantee to the 15th Fulani Emir of Kano, Chief Aminu Bayero, all the rights and privileges due him as the legitimate Emir of Kano.

Presiding judge, Justice SA Amobeda, who issued the ex parte order on Tuesday, said the order was issued in the interest of justice and maintenance of peace in Kano State.

The order states:
“An interim injunction restraining the Defendants, by themselves, their agents, servants, aides or any other person or authority, from inviting, arresting, detaining, threatening, intimidating, assaulting the Applicant with a view to arresting or violating his rights, obstructing or visiting the Applicant or in any other manner violating or attempting to violate the Applicant’s rights until the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s claim.”

“An order restraining the third, fourth, fifth and all other defendants from denying to the applicant the use of his official residence and palace at the Emir’s Palace, Kofar Kudu and the enjoyment of all rights and privileges accruing to him by reason of being the Emir of Kano State and from evicting any and all persons unlawfully residing within the palace pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff’s summons.”

The case was adjourned till June 4 for hearing.

However, a state High Court sitting at Miller Road, Kano, has restrained the police, the State Security Service (SSS) and the Nigerian Army from evicting the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

The suit was filed by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II along with four other kings of Kano, Madakin Kano Yusuf Nabahani, Arms of Kano Ibrahim Sarki Abdullahi, Chief Bai Mansur Adnan and Chief Dawaki Maituta Bello Tuta.

The presiding judge, Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, barred security agencies from arresting or harassing chiefs and those acting on behalf of the king.

The judge ruled that “pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, an interim injunction shall be issued restraining the defendants themselves, their agents, aides, representatives and assigns from harassing, intimidating, inviting, arresting or trespassing upon the personal or official residence of the plaintiff (Gidan Rumfa), his servants or the Sultan of the Emirate of Kano and generally from any act which may prejudice the rights of the plaintiffs in relation to this action.”

“An interim injunction is hereby issued, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, restraining the defendants from attempting to hijack, seize, take over or confiscate the twin spears of authority, the Dabo royal cap, the ostrich feather shoes, the knife and sword of the Emir of Kano and any of the symbols of authority.”

It further restrained the defendants from interfering with the functions and duties of the first petitioner as Emir of Kano until the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 28th May, 2024.”

The motion as notified was adjourned until June 13, 2024 for hearing.