There tussle over the Kano Emirate stool has kicked up more confusion for Kano citizens after two high courts yesterday gave contradictory orders as to who is the rightful Emir of Kano.
While a Federal High Court sitting in Kano issued an order to the security agencies to evict Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II from Kofar Kudu Palace, the main Kano Palace, a State High Court issued a counter order restraining the security agencies from evicting Emir Sanusi II from the palace.
The Federal Court also ordered the police to ensure all rights and privileges due to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, be given to him as the rightful Emir of Kano.
The trial judge, Justice S. A. Amobeda, who gave the ex-parte order on Tuesday, said it was made in the interest of justice, and to maintain peace in Kano State.
The order reads in part: "An order of interim injunction restraining the respondents, either by themselves, their agents, servants, privies or any other person or authority, from inviting, arresting, detaining, threatening, intimidating, harassing the applicant, raiding, tampering with or visiting the applicant's house in order to arrest or infringe on his right, or in any other way infringe or attempt to infringe the applicant's rights pending the hearing and determination of the Originating Motion."
The order also barred all respondents from stopping Bayero from using his official residence and palace at the Emir's Palace, Kofar Kudu, as well as the enjoyment of all rights and privileges accrued to him by virtue of being Emir of Kano State.
It also stopped the eviction of anything or anybody residing within the palace illegally pending the hearing and the determination of the originating summons.
The suit has been adjourned to June 4 for hearing.
On the other hand, a State High Court sitting at Miller Road yesterday restrained the police, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Army from evicting the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The case was filed by Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II along with the four kingmakers of Kano: Madakin Kano Yusuf Nabahani, Makaman Kano Ibrahim Sarki Abdullahi, Sarkin Bai Mansur Adnan and Sarkin Dawaki Maituta Bello Tuta.
The trial judge, Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, also restrained the security agencies from arresting or harassing the Emir and his kingmakers.
Part of the order reads: "That an order of interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondents either by themselves, their agents, privies, representative, and assigns from further harassing, intimidating, inviting, arresting and or invading the personal or official residence of the Applicants (Gidan Rumfa), his servants and/or any of the Kano Emirate kingmakers, or doing such acts that would be capable of interfering with the Applicants' rights generally in relation to this suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice."
The order also restrained the respondents from attempting to hijack, pick, commandeer, confiscate any of the twin spear of authority, the Royal Hat of Dabo, the Ostrich-feathered shoes, the knife and sword of the Emir of Kano as well as symbols of authority pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
The order further restrained the respondents from interfering with the functions, duties of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice."
Hearing in the case was adjourned to June 13, 2024.
Kano: Residents Accuse Politicians of Bastardising The Traditional Heritage
Some residents of Kano have expressed dissatisfaction with the current tussle over who becomes the Kano Emir following the aftermath of the dissolution of the five Emirates in the state by the House of Assembly.
The residents, who spoke under anonymity, accused politicians of bastardising the ancient heritage of the Kano Emirate that has been in existence for about 900 years.
One of the residents expressed sadness that politicians had abused the Emirate and tampered with its integrity in trying to achieve their whims.
He said the ruling All Progressive Congress (APC) and the New Nigeria People's Party (NNPP) had turned the Emirate into their battlefield to the detriment of the populace.
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He thanked God that the people of Kano had been calm and were not allowing themselves to be drawn into the quagmire.
"But they have completely undignified the Emirate which is a traditional heritage we hold with reverence," he said.
Another resident who also chose to remain anonymous added that Kano is the traditional centre of northern Nigeria that Emirates from other states look up to.
"Initially, we had one Emirate before politicians came and created five new Emirates for their political reasons. They removed the Emir on the seat then. That was under the APC.
"Now that the NNPP are in power, they have reverted to the old system and removed the ones put in place. They brought back the dethroned Emir. Now they are battling for the seat among them without regard to the integrity of the institution" he said.
"Meanwhile, the Kano Emirate tussle has turned into something different with the politicians using the courts under their jurisdictions to issue opposing court orders," he added.
