The Court of Appeal has lifted previous orders that restricted the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano. The court’s ruling came on Tuesday, offering a crucial moment in the ongoing legal battle surrounding the reinstatement of the former monarch. However, the Court has urged all parties involved to exercise caution as they await the hearing of appeals at the Supreme Court.
The Court of Appeal’s decision marks a notable turn in the dispute, which has attracted widespread attention both locally and nationally. The ruling provides temporary relief for those advocating for Sanusi’s return as the Emir of Kano but leaves many questions unanswered, with a final resolution now in the hands of the Supreme Court.
The controversy surrounding Sanusi’s removal from office has been ongoing since his dethronement in March 2020. Sanusi, who was once the central figure of the Kano Emirate, was removed by the Kano State Government, led at the time by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, under the claims of insubordination and misconduct. His removal created an intense political storm, leading to legal battles that have continued for years.
In 2024, the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law was passed, which, among other provisions, affirmed the legitimacy of the appointment of Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano, while also serving to validate the dethronement of Sanusi. The legal disputes, however, did not end there, as Sanusi’s supporters, along with his legal team, argued that the process of his removal was unconstitutional and illegal.
In the face of these contentious events, the legal dispute has reached the Court of Appeal, with the latest development coming in March 2025.
On Tuesday, a three-member panel of Justices, led by Hon. Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill, ruled in favor of lifting the restrictions on Sanusi’s reinstatement. The Court’s decision came after the Kano State Government had initially sought to prevent any further action regarding the reinstatement of Sanusi.
The Court agreed to withdraw the application filed by the Kano State Government, acknowledging that the matter was now in the hands of the Supreme Court. As part of the ruling, the Court called on all parties involved to exercise caution and refrain from any actions that could potentially alter the status quo until the Supreme Court renders its final decision.
This development has brought a temporary victory to those in favor of Sanusi’s reinstatement, as it allows for the possibility of his return as Emir, pending the final ruling from the Supreme Court. However, this ruling does not provide a definitive resolution, and many are waiting for the Apex Court’s intervention to settle the matter once and for all.
The legal proceedings have been marked by several significant moments. One such moment occurred on March 14, 2025, when Justice Abang of the Federal High Court ruled in favor of the Kano State Government, staying the execution of an earlier judgment that had validated Sanusi’s reinstatement as the Emir of Kano. Justice Abang’s ruling had ordered that all parties maintain the status quo, meaning the previous state of affairs before Sanusi’s reinstatement was to remain in effect.
This decision had caused an uproar, as it appeared to stall any immediate efforts to return Sanusi to the throne. However, the Appeal Court’s ruling on Tuesday overturned that decision, thereby allowing the legal process surrounding Sanusi’s reinstatement to continue while waiting for the Supreme Court’s intervention.
Barrister Ibrahim Wangida, the Counsel for the Kano State Government, had raised objections to the March 14 ruling, describing it as a constitutional error. Wangida contended that the appeal had already been filed with the Supreme Court, and as such, all actions related to Sanusi’s reinstatement should be placed on hold until the Apex Court made its ruling.
In response, Abdul Fagge, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria representing the appellant, agreed with the legal process followed by the Kano State Government, further reinforcing the constitutional validity of the actions taken.
The Court of Appeal’s decision brings clarity to a contentious issue, though it is not a final victory for either side. The reinstatement of Sanusi as Emir of Kano remains a matter of deep legal and political significance, particularly in a state with such rich cultural and historical ties to its monarchy.
Sanusi’s removal and the subsequent disputes surrounding his dethronement have been largely politically charged. As a former Central Bank Governor and outspoken critic of certain political practices, Sanusi’s role in the Kano Emirate has long been intertwined with Nigeria’s national politics. His removal was seen by some as an attempt by the then Governor Ganduje to assert control over the Kano Emirate, which has long been considered a powerful political force.
Since his dethronement, Sanusi has become a central figure in the broader debate over traditional leadership and the autonomy of the monarchy. The ongoing court cases surrounding his reinstatement have, in many ways, become symbolic of the struggle for the independence of the Emirate.
The Appeal Court’s ruling, while allowing for the possibility of Sanusi’s return, is likely to continue fueling political debates and legal challenges. There are already signs that the outcome of the Supreme Court’s ruling will have far-reaching consequences for both Sanusi’s supporters and the Kano State Government.
The final determination of whether Sanusi will return to the throne now lies with the Supreme Court. The matter has become a high-profile case, with implications not just for the Kano Emirate but for the broader legal and political landscape in Nigeria.
As the case heads to the Apex Court, all eyes will be on how the Justices interpret the constitutional issues raised in this case. The Supreme Court’s ruling will ultimately settle whether Sanusi’s reinstatement as Emir was legally sound and whether the actions of the Kano State Government in removing him were in line with the Constitution.
For now, the status quo remains in limbo, and the public is left to wait for the Supreme Court’s final verdict, which will have lasting consequences for the future of traditional leadership in Kano State.
