A federal High Court sitting in Kano has ruled in favor of Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, awarding him N10 million in compensation following an order for his arrest and eviction from the palace.
The court’s decision comes after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s directive last month to dethrone Ado Bayero and enforce a 48-hour handover of power.
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While Ado Bayero was out of Kano at the time of the governor’s order, he returned and took residence in the mini palace in Nasarawa, prompting Governor Yusuf to command his immediate arrest. In response, the 15th Emir of Kano sought judicial intervention, challenging the governor’s actions.
Ado Bayero also sought to nullify the law that facilitated his deposition and the reinstatement of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The respondents in the lawsuit included the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Attorney General of Kano State, the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police, the Commissioner of Police in Kano, the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, and the Nigerian Navy.
Presiding over the case, Justice Simon Amobeda affirmed the court’s jurisdiction to hear the matter, recognizing it as a fundamental rights enforcement application.
Justice Amobeda ruled that Ado Bayero retains the freedom and legal right to move and reside anywhere within Kano or elsewhere in Nigeria.
However, the court declined to evict Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II from the Gidan Rumfa palace. Ibrahim Isa Wangida, counsel for the Kano state government and Emir Sanusi, regarded the judgment as a partial victory, noting that the court did not invalidate the law underpinning Sanusi’s reinstatement.
He indicated plans to consult his clients on the possibility of appealing the N10 million compensation ruling.
On the other hand, Ado Bayero’s counsel, Abdulrazaq Ahmad, welcomed the judgment, asserting that the court’s recognition of his client’s fundamental rights confirmed their position.
He emphasized that the ruling restrains the state government and security agencies from infringing upon the emir’s rights.
