The controversy surrounding the Kano Emirate has taken a dramatic turn, as Aminu Babba Danagundi, a prominent kingmaker loyal to Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, declared his intention to appeal to the Supreme Court. This decision follows a Court of Appeal judgment that overturned Bayero’s appointment as Emir of Kano, reinstating his predecessor, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Speaking at the Nassarawa Mini Palace on Sunday, Danagundi expressed dissatisfaction with the appellate court’s decision, vowing to see the case through to its final conclusion. “I am not satisfied with the Court of Appeal’s judgment,” he said. “I have instructed my lawyers to obtain the certified true copy of the judgment and file an appeal at the Supreme Court.”
Legal Battle Intensifies
The Court of Appeal’s three-member panel had ruled that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to nullify Sanusi’s dethronement in the first place. Justice Gabriel Kolawole, who delivered the lead judgment, emphasized that chieftaincy disputes should be handled by the Kano State High Court. While Justice Kolawole recommended transferring the case to the state’s Chief Judge for reassignment, his two colleagues disagreed, resulting in the case being struck out.
Danagundi, however, viewed the ruling as a procedural error rather than a substantive defeat. “They are not saying they don’t agree with us,” he argued. “All they said is that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction. This is why I am appealing to the Supreme Court.”
A History of Courtroom Battles
The kingmaker’s defiance is not new. Recalling his 17-year legal tussle with the late Emir Ado Bayero, Danagundi stated, “If I am to spend 20 years on this matter, so be it. Governors will come and go, but we will remain steadfast until justice is served.”
Danagundi also cited the protracted legal case of Emir Mustafa Jikolo of Gwandu, which has lasted nearly two decades, to emphasize the unpredictable timeline of chieftaincy disputes. “Nobody can celebrate victory in this case because it is far from over,” he said, reiterating his commitment to pursuing justice regardless of how long it takes.
Security and Palace Matters
While the legal wrangling continues, the status of Aminu Ado Bayero remains a point of contention. Danagundi clarified that Bayero would remain at the Nassarawa Mini Palace, pending the resolution of the case. “The court has ruled that the Emir should stay in this house under the protection of all security agencies,” he said.
This pronouncement follows a previous declaration by the Kano State High Court, which had nullified an earlier order stripping Bayero of his security detail. Danagundi emphasized the significance of this decision, stating, “The Inspector General of Police, DSS, and military have been instructed to provide maximum security to the Emir.”
Background of the Dispute
The Kano Emirate crisis traces back to 2020, when former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje controversially dethroned Muhammadu Sanusi II. Sanusi’s removal followed allegations of insubordination, a claim he denied, attributing his ouster to political vendetta. Ganduje subsequently installed Aminu Ado Bayero, the son of the revered late Emir Ado Bayero, as Sanusi’s successor.
However, the reinstatement of Sanusi by the Court of Appeal has reignited tensions, with the legal battle threatening to split the emirate along political and traditional lines. Danagundi’s staunch loyalty to Bayero underscores the deep divisions within Kano’s ruling elite.
The Road Ahead
For Danagundi, the fight is far from over. “Whatever the Supreme Court decides will be final, but until then, we will not back down,” he declared. He dismissed any possibility of political interference influencing the outcome, stating, “No governor can impose an Emir on us. I am not afraid of anyone born of a woman in this matter.”
The kingmaker’s resolve underscores the high stakes in this legal drama, which goes beyond the personalities involved. The outcome could redefine the balance of power between traditional institutions and political authorities in Kano.
Uncertainty Looms
Legal experts have warned that the protracted nature of such cases could destabilize the emirate and erode public confidence in traditional leadership. With the case now heading to Nigeria’s highest court, all eyes are on the Supreme Court to provide clarity and closure to one of the most contentious chieftaincy disputes in recent history.
As Danagundi and his legal team prepare for the next phase of this battle, the people of Kano are left waiting, their heritage and leadership hanging in the balance. The echoes of history, power struggles, and tradition resonate in what could be a defining moment for the ancient emirate.
