Legal representatives of Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, have withdrawn from the ongoing legal tussle over the Kano emirate before the State High Court.
The lawyers expressed dissatisfaction with a prior court ruling that denied their request to stay proceedings.
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During the hearing, Abdul Muhammed, SAN, representing the first respondent, highlighted that an affidavit of fact and a motion of appeal were filed, requesting a stay of proceedings pending the outcome of the appeal.
He argued that once a higher court is notified, the lower court should pause proceedings. However, the trial court declined this request.
Frustrated by the court’s refusal to grant an adjournment, Muhammed announced his withdrawal from the case.
Following his lead, another team member, Barrister Sanusi Musa, SAN, also declared their collective withdrawal.
Meanwhile, Hassan Tanko Kyaure, representing the third, fourth, and fifth respondents, filed for an extension of time and a counter affidavit, urging the court to nullify the Kano State emirates council repealed law, citing procedural lapses.
He requested a dismissal of the application with a cost of N1 billion.
Counsel for the sixth respondent, Sunday Ekwe, chose to defer to the court’s discretion without making any submissions.
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Eyitayo Fatogun, representing the applicants, argued against the motion for a stay, stating that the filing of a notice of appeal does not warrant halting proceedings.
He contended that the affidavit of facts was merely a tactic to delay the case and urged the court to proceed with hearing all pending applications.
Judge Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu ruled against staying the proceedings, stating that the affidavit did not meet court rules or disclose any special facts.
She adjourned the case to July 18 for further rulings on various applications, including those for extension of time, preliminary objections, setting aside an ex parte order, and others.
The applicants, represented by Ibrahim Isah Wangida Esq, are the Attorney General of Kano State, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, and the Kano State House of Assembly.
They seek to restrain Ado Bayero and other dethroned emirs from Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye from presenting themselves as emirs.
Respondents include Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero and four other former emirs, along with the Inspector General of Police, Director of the State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Nigerian Army.
