The legal storm surrounding the throne of the Emir of Kano has reached a dramatic conclusion, as the Court of Appeal in Abuja delivered a landmark decision reinstating Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano. This ruling, issued on January 11, has sparked celebrations throughout Kano State, where thousands of residents are hailing it as a significant victory for the integrity of the state’s traditional institutions.
In a ruling that is set to reverberate across the political and traditional landscapes of the state, the three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Mohammed Mustapha, overturned a controversial ruling by the Federal High Court. The lower court had previously nullified the reappointment of Sanusi, a decision that many felt undermined the authority of the Kano State Government and the state’s traditional leadership system.
The case traces its roots back to June 2024 when Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court ruled in favor of a lawsuit brought by a disgruntled kingmaker, Alhaji Aminu Agundi. Agundi, alongside other stakeholders, had sought to challenge Sanusi’s reappointment as Emir, arguing that the legal framework facilitating his reinstatement, the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024, was invalid. The Federal High Court ruled in their favor, leading to the temporary suspension of Sanusi’s throne and creating a protracted legal standoff.
However, in a decisive move, the Court of Appeal declared that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to rule on the matter, emphasizing that the case was not a fundamental human rights issue, as claimed by Bayero’s camp. The court’s judgment, delivered by Justice Mustapha, highlighted that chieftaincy matters fall outside the purview of the Federal High Court, pointing to relevant sections of the Nigerian Constitution that support this stance. The Court thus found the high court’s decision to be legally unsound, restoring Sanusi’s position as Emir.
“The Appeal Court has rightfully restored order and sanity to the leadership of Kano’s traditional institution,” said a jubilant Haruna Zubairu, a long-time supporter of Emir Sanusi, in a statement to the press. “This ruling is not just for Emir Sanusi, but for the entire Kano Emirate. It is a triumph for justice and the will of the people.”
The court further invalidated the suit filed by Alhaji Aminu Agundi, which had originally led to the injunction maintaining the status quo in favor of the deposed 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero. Agundi’s lawsuit, the court noted, had been filed outside the confines of proper legal procedure and was based on faulty grounds. This legal misstep paved the way for the appellate ruling, effectively quashing Bayero’s attempt to reclaim the throne.
Bayero, who was deposed by the Kano State Government in May 2024 following the enactment of the controversial Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law, had sought to challenge the validity of his removal. The law, which Governor Abba Yusuf signed into effect in the same month, reinstated Sanusi as Emir, while dissolving the administrative structures of other key emirates within the state, including those of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye.
The Appeal Court ruling also ordered a fresh hearing of Bayero’s challenge, a process that will now be expedited at the Kano State High Court under the direction of the Chief Judge. This new phase is expected to further clarify the future of Kano’s chieftaincy structure, as it seems likely that Bayero’s claim will be examined once again, this time with a more focused legal perspective.
While the legal wrangling continues, the immediate aftermath of the Court of Appeal’s decision has been one of public celebration. Crowds gathered in key locations across Kano, including the Emir’s palace, to cheer on their reinstated ruler. The sight of traditional drummers, dancers, and supporters waving banners with Sanusi’s image echoed a deep sense of relief and triumph for his supporters.
For the people of Kano, this is not merely a legal victory; it is an emotional one. Emir Sanusi is viewed by many as a symbol of progress and unity, having been a central figure in the fight for the autonomy and dignity of Kano’s traditional institutions. His controversial removal by the previous governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, in 2020, had sparked widespread outrage and protests, especially among those who believed that the action was politically motivated.
In his time on the throne, Sanusi became known for his progressive views on education, infrastructure development, and social welfare. His removal and subsequent reappointment had divided the state’s political class, with some politicians supporting his return while others sought to keep the status quo. The recent court battle has only intensified these divisions, with the outcome now being seen as a final resolution to a matter that had placed Kano’s traditional institutions in the spotlight.
For now, with the Appeal Court’s ruling in his favor, Sanusi has once again secured his place as Emir. But the legal and political dramas are far from over, with the upcoming hearings on Bayero’s challenge and the future of Kano’s traditional leadership still to be determined. However, for now, the focus is on the celebrations in the streets of Kano, where residents are marking what they consider a major victory for the stability and unity of their state.
