Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has criticized the recent court order halting the reinstatement of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi Lamido, accusing the judge of abusing judicial power. Governor Yusuf announced his intention to bring the matter before the Nigeria Governors’ Forum for proper resolution.
The controversy follows Governor Yusuf’s signing of a bill repealing the State Emirate Council Law of 2019, which had established five emirate councils. The Kano State House of Assembly recently passed a bill dissolving the four additional emirates created by former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, effectively removing all five emirs and paving the way for Sanusi Lamido’s reinstatement.
However, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano issued a temporary injunction preventing the reinstatement. The injunction restrains the Inspector General of Police, the Kano State Police Commissioner, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Service (DSS) from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law. The court granted this order following a motion filed by Aminu Babba Danagundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba.
Despite the court order, Governor Yusuf proceeded to issue a reinstatement letter to Sanusi II at Africa House, Kano State Government House. Addressing the situation, Governor Yusuf said, “The person who issued the court order was in America, but he is ordering us to stop what we are doing. I must present this issue of abuse before the Governor’s Forum so that we can tackle it accordingly.”
Governor Yusuf emphasized his commitment to due process and transparency, stating, “We are agents of following due process, that’s why we did what we did openly before everybody. Those that are meant to maintain that rule of law must follow it also.”
The situation remains tense as Governor Yusuf seeks support from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum to address what he describes as judicial overreach.
