Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano has nullified the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano.
Delivering a verdict on Thursday, June 20, the court also nullified all the actions taken after the controversial reinstatement.
Liman said he listened to the state Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf’s assent of the law reinstating Sanusi, and pointed out that it is in violation of the court order for status quo to be maintained.
He said; “I hereby order that every step taking by the Government is hereby nullified and becomes null and invalid and that this does not affect the validity of the repealed Emirates Law but actions taken by the Governor, which includes the assenting to the Law and the reappointment (of Sanusi).
“I have listened to the audio of the governor both in Hausa and English after assenting to the Law, and I am convinced that the respondents are aware of the order of maintaining status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motions on notice in the court.
“Having been satisfied that the respondents are aware of the court order, the court in exercise of its powers set aside an action because it is in violation of the court’s order, I think it is a very serious matter for anyone to flout the orders of the court and go scot free with it.”
The judge said the catastrophic situation could have been averted if the respondents followed due processes by complying with the court order, which would still have allowed them to carry out their assignments.
