Court Halts Bayero’s Renovation Of Nasarawa Mini Palace

The injunction was granted in response to a motion ex parte filed by the plaintiffs, which include the Kano State government, the Attorney General of Kano State, and the Kano State Emirate Council. The plaintiffs were represented by Rilwanu Umar Esq. and three other legal representatives.

In the court order, Justice Aboki instructed all parties to maintain the current state of the palace’s structural and architectural design until the motion on notice is addressed and resolved.

Earlier reports had indicated that Emir Bayero had begun a renovation project at the mini palace, revealing a prototype of the proposed changes.

This situation follows Emir Bayero’s removal by Governor Abba Yusuf while he was outside the state, leading to the reinstatement of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who then moved into the Kofar-Kudu palace. Upon his return, Bayero was relocated to the Nassarawa mini palace, where he has continued his official duties despite the legal dispute over the renovations.

The court order specifies: “An interim injunction is hereby issued, restraining the Defendant, his agents, representatives, or anyone acting on his behalf, from further demolishing, renovating, repairing, reconstructing, or refurbishing the property known as Gidan Sarki Nassarawa located along State Road, Kano, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice before this court.”

It also directs that the parties involved maintain the current status of the palace’s structure and design until the motion on notice is resolved. Additionally, plaintiffs/applicants are instructed to serve the Originating Process, Motion on Notice, and other related documents to the Defendant through substituted means, such as posting them at the property or delivering them to an adult aide of the Defendant at Gidan Sarki Nassarawa.