Legal Battle Intensifies: Appeal Court Cautions Against Rushed Reinstatement OF Sanusi

In a unanimous ruling delivered on Tuesday, a three-member panel led by Hon. Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill directed all parties to exercise caution while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision. The ruling followed the Kano State Government’s withdrawal of its application to enforce an earlier judgment on Sanusi’s reinstatement.

The court noted that the transmission of the appeal record to the Supreme Court effectively stays the execution of its March 14, 2025 ruling. During the hearing, Kano State Government’s counsel, Barrister Ibrahim Wangida, confirmed that all necessary legal procedures, including record transmission, had been completed. Based on legal precedent, this automatically halts the enforcement of the Appeal Court’s earlier decision.

On March 14, 2025, Justice Abang had issued a stay of execution on the ruling that validated Sanusi’s reinstatement, emphasizing that the status quo before the June 2024 trial court’s decision must be maintained. The Kano State Government, dissatisfied with this ruling, appealed, arguing that Justice Abang’s decision violated constitutional provisions.

The case revolves around the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which reinstated Sanusi and officially removed Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano. Bayero has since returned to Kano, residing under heavy security at the Nassarawa Mini Palace while continuing to challenge his removal in court, intensifying the political tension surrounding the emirate.