National
El-Rufai Blasts High Court Interference In Kano Emirate Case
By Benjamin Abioye
Former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai has criticized the Federal High Court for intervening in the Kano Emirate chieftaincy dispute, asserting that such matters were beyond its jurisdiction.
His remarks came after the Court of Appeal overturned the Federal High Court’s earlier judgment that nullified the appointment of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja, presided over by a three-justice panel, nullified the Federal High Court’s June 20, 2024, judgment. The earlier ruling had invalidated Sanusi’s appointment based on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, a former kingmaker.
Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Abdul Dogo stated, “The Federal High Court proceeded in error when it erroneously turned a chieftaincy matter into a fundamental rights enforcement case.”
Justice Dogo further remarked, “The Federal High Court judge was in grave error in nullifying the steps taken by the Kano State Government under the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, including the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.”
The Appeal Court declared the Federal High Court’s ruling invalid, upholding the legality of actions taken by the Kano State Government under the Emirate Council Law.
El-Rufai, expressing his satisfaction with the Appeal Court’s decision, extended his congratulations to Emir Muhammad Sanusi II. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, “KANO UPDATE: Congratulations to my dear friend and brother, His Highness, Emir Muhammad Sanusi II, for this judgment.”
He criticized the Federal High Court for involving itself in chieftaincy matters outside the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), describing the initial ruling as “intentionally erroneous and disgraceful.” El-Rufai added, “The Federal High Court has no business dabbling into chieftaincy matters outside of the FCT, and the erring judge ought to be disciplined by the NJC for the intentionally erroneous and disgraceful judgment.”
The former governor called on the National Judicial Council (NJC) to take disciplinary measures against the judge responsible for the annulled ruling. His stance aligns with the Appeal Court’s judgment, which emphasized that chieftaincy matters should be resolved within the framework of state laws and not through the Federal High Court.
This development marks a significant legal victory for Emir Muhammad Sanusi II and underscores the importance of jurisdictional boundaries in the judicial system.
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