Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State has publicly declared his intention not to comply with a Federal High Court order seeking to halt the reinstatement of former Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II.
The decision has sparked significant discussion and controversy, with Governor Yusuf justifying his stance based on the timing and nature of the court’s order.
The Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Mohammed Liman, issued the order following an application by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate. The order sought to prevent the enforcement of the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law.
In an interview on Arise Television on Friday, Sanusi Bature, the Director-General of Media and Publicity for Governor Yusuf, explained the governor’s rationale for disregarding the court’s directive. Bature emphasized that the court order was issued too late to have any effect.
“This is an ex parte order, and it’s given largely probably for the protection of the human rights of the subjects involved in this case,” Bature stated. “Unfortunately for those that filed this case, the court order came many hours after the decision of Governor Yusuf. This bill emanated from the State House of Assembly, it’s not even an executive bill.”
Bature further clarified the timeline, indicating that Governor Yusuf signed the law at exactly 5 pm, while the court order was issued after 11 pm. “We can only respect a court order that comes at the right time. Therefore, this is something that came at a very wrong time. By law, the state is not bound by this court order. This is just a bygone issue because the people of Kano are happy with the decision to restore Emir Sanusi.”
Governor Yusuf’s decision to reinstate Muhammadu Sanusi II has been framed as a move reflecting the will and desires of the Kano populace.
“The decision to reinstate Sanusi is done in good faith and in the best interest of the people of Kano because that is what they have been craving for,” Bature added.
