Court bars Bayero from parading himself as emir, orders return of emirate assets

A Kano state high court has permanently restrained Aminu Bayero from parading himself as the Emir of Kano pending the determination of the suit.

In a judgment delivered on Monday, Aminu Aliyu, the presiding judge, also restrained the four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Gaya, Rano, and Karaye from parading themselves as monarchs.

Aliyu ordered the deposed emirs to return the traditional royal artefacts to the state government and Muhammadu Sanusi, the Emir of Kano.

She ruled that the planned eviction of Bayero from the mini Nassarawa palace is a “rent tribunal” matter.

She held that the enactment of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 was in line with the constitution, adding that the state assembly has the power to amend laws.

The suit was filed by the attorney-general of Kano, the speaker, and the Kano house of assembly.

THE CONTROVERSY

On May 23, Sanusi was reinstated as emir by Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, at a colourful ceremony in government house.

The Kano house of assembly repealed the law used by Abdullahi Ganduje, former governor of the state, to depose and exile Sanusi in 2020.

The repeal paved the way for the reinstatement of Sanusi and the dethronement of Bayero.

Since his dethronement, Bayero has been residing at the mini Nassarawa palace.

The emirship tussle in Kano has heightened tension in the state since Bayero returned to a hero’s welcome in May — hours after he was deposed.