In a new development in the ongoing Kano Emirate leadership dispute, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has paused the enforcement of its January 10 ruling that validated the Kano State Government’s repeal of the 2019 Emirate Council Law.
In a judgement on Friday, a three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Okon Abang, ruled on the injunction in two suits marked CA/KN/27M/2025 and CA/KN/28M/2025.
The suits were filed by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi against the Kano State Government, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and other security agencies.
Dan’agundi, through an application filed on February 6, 2025, requested an order preventing the respondents from implementing the appellate court’s judgment until the Supreme Court reaches a final verdict.
The application argued that the original trial court lacked jurisdiction over the case and emphasized the need to prevent irreversible actions while the appeal is still pending.
The application also maintained that the 2024 Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, passed by the state assembly and signed by the governor, legally dissolved the newly established emirates and reinstated Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano.
In its unanimous decision, the appellate panel sided with the applicant, ruling that granting the injunction barring Kano government from reinstating Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano was necessary to serve justice.
“The law is settled. The court is enjoined to exercise its discretion judiciously and in the interest of justice,” Justice Abang stated.
He added that the injunction ensures that the status quo remains as it was before the trial court’s decision on June 13, 2024, in suit number FHC/KN/CS/182/2024.
The panel emphasized that preserving the subject of the litigation was crucial, as a valid appeal was already before the Supreme Court.
“In my view, I hold that the balance of convenience lies in his favour. It is deserving to protect him pending the determination of the Supreme Court,” Justice Abang ruled.
The court barred the respondents from enforcing the January 10 judgment and mandated that the status quo be maintained until the Supreme Court delivers its judgment. It also directed the applicant to file an undertaking within 14 days, agreeing to compensate the respondents if the order is later deemed unnecessary.
The January 10 appellate ruling had previously overturned the Federal High Court’s decision, which invalidated the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024. That law dissolved the newly created emirates and restored Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.
The appellate court found that the lower court lacked the authority to handle chieftaincy matters, which are under the jurisdiction of the state high courts.
This development marks another chapter in the protracted legal battle over the Kano Emirate’s leadership, with the final resolution now in the hands of the Supreme Court
