Kano State Rejects Appeal Court Verdict, Says Sanusi’s Reinstatement Remains Valid

Kano State’s Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Haruna Isa Dederi, has stated that the recent ruling from the Court of Appeal in Abuja does not invalidate the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

In a statement to journalists on Friday, Dederi emphasized that the appellate court cannot overturn its own previous decision. He reiterated that only the Supreme Court has the authority to reverse the ruling that upheld the Kano State Government’s decision to reinstate Sanusi.

This response comes after the Court of Appeal ruled on an application for a stay of execution filed by Aminu Baba DanAgundi, a kingmaker loyal to the deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero.

Dederi clarified the implications of the ruling from Friday, stressing that the Court of Appeal’s decision on January 10, 2025, still stands, despite the temporary stay of execution pending the Supreme Court’s final judgment.

“The Court of Appeal, after considering the application for a stay of execution, ruled that the status quo be maintained until the Supreme Court delivers its judgment. However, this does not mean that the judgment of January 10, 2025, has been overturned. That ruling remains valid and binding,” he said.

He further emphasized that the Court of Appeal cannot reverse its own decision, asserting, “Only the Supreme Court has the power to set aside the judgment of a lower court. The ruling today simply means the execution of the judgment is on hold until the Supreme Court makes its final determination.”

Background of the Emirship Dispute:

On January 10, 2025, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, led by Justice Mohammad Mustapha, overturned the decision of Justice A. Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano, which had previously annulled the actions of the Kano State Government regarding the Kano Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024. This ruling effectively removed Aminu Ado Bayero and affirmed the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II.

Dissatisfied with this outcome, Aminu Baba DanAgundi took the matter to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the appellate court’s decision. Additionally, he filed for a stay of execution to halt any actions based on the Court of Appeal’s ruling until the Supreme Court delivers its judgment.

On Friday, a three-member panel of Justices, led by Justice Abang, granted DanAgundi’s request, issuing a stay of execution in the interest of justice.