Governor Abba Yusuf of Kano State stated on Friday, May 24, that Justice Mohammed Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano, who issued an order on Thursday restraining the state government from enforcing the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law, is currently in America.
The governor mentioned that he signed the proposed law at exactly 5:14 pm, after which the orders were issued.
“It means they were already armed with the motion ex-parte even before I gave assent to the bill passed by the State House of Assembly or at what time had they approached the court to obtain the order?,” he asked.
Justice Mohammed Liman gave the order following an application by a kingmaker, Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi.
Kano State Government, Kano Assembly, the Speaker, the Attorney-General, the Commissioner of Police, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the State Security Service (SSS) are respondents.
“The judge is in America, how can he sit in America and give order in Nigeria to stop a legitimate process?,” he queried.
Yusuf said Sanusi’s reinstatement was delayed because due process was being followed.
“The Assembly members did their legislative duty and passed the bill into law. We met with law enforcement agencies and the kingmakers before I signed the law,” he said and added the law has come to stay and no one can stop it.
He said the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024 happened to affect the five (dethroned) emirs while favouring Sanusi.
The new law says: “All traditional office holders and title holders elevated or appointed to an office created under the repealed Principal law, dated 5th December 2019 shall revert to their position where such positions previously existed under recognised custom and traditions prior to the enactment of the repealed Principal Law dated 5th December 2019.”
Yusuf said: “It is not a new stool, neither Sanusi is a new emir. The king has only returned home to his throne after it was balkanised. It has all along been his throne.”
The governor said Kano is peaceful and calm, as he appealed to the people to go about their businesses freely.
