28th May, 2024
A Kano State High Court has issued a restraining order against the Police, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigerian military, from removing the reinstated Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II from the Emir’s palace.
The court presided over by Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, made the order while delivering judgement in the lawsuit filed by the Emir and four Kano kingmakers: Madakin Kano Yusuf Nabahani, Makaman Kano Ibrahim Sarki Abdullahi, Sarkin Bai Mansur Adnan, and Sarkin Dawaki Maituta Bello Tuta.
Justice Aliyu also prohibited the security agencies from arresting or intimidating Sanusi and his associates.
She stated that an interim injunction was granted to prevent the respondents from harassing, intimidating, or arresting the applicants or interfering with their rights until the motion on notice is heard and determined.
Furthermore, the court ordered the respondents not to seize any symbols of the emir’s authority, such as his Royal Hat, Ostrich-feathered shoes, or ceremonial weapons, pending further proceedings.
The ruling also enjoined the respondents from taking any further action in the matter and maintaining the status quo until the motion on notice is heard.
Granting the order, Justice Aliyu also retrained the security agencies from arresting or harassing the emir and his kingmakers.
“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 of 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.
“That an order of Interim injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondents from attempting to hijack, pick, commandeer, confiscate any of 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.
“That an order of Interim injunction is hereby made restraining the Respondents from taking further steps in connection with the matter or maintaining status quo of staying all actions pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
“That it is further ordered that the Respondents are restrained from interfering with the functions, duties of the 1st Applicant as the Emir of Kano pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice dated 28th May, 2024,” the order read.
The court adjourned the motion on notice to June 13, 2024, for further deliberation.