Appeal Court Halts Reinstatement of Former Emir Sanusi Pending Supreme Court Decision

 In a significant legal development, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has issued a ruling to halt the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi as the Emir of Kano. This decision comes amidst ongoing legal disputes concerning the emirate’s leadership and is set to maintain the status quo pending a final determination by the Supreme Court.

The appellate court, presided over by Justice Okon Abang, delivered its unanimous ruling on Friday, March 14, 2025. The court emphasized the necessity of preserving the current state of affairs until the Supreme Court concludes its deliberations on the matter. Justice Abang highlighted that the applicant, Aminu Ado Bayero, had served as emir for five years prior to his removal, thereby earning the right to legal protection during the ongoing proceedings.

This ruling effectively suspends the enforcement of a previous judgment dated January 10, which had invalidated the Kano State High Court’s nullification of Sanusi’s appointment. The earlier judgment had declared that the Federal High Court acted without proper jurisdiction in matters pertaining to chieftaincy disputes, which are traditionally within the purview of state high courts.

The legal tussle traces back to June 20, 2024, when the Federal High Court reinstated Bayero as the emir, thereby annulling the state government’s earlier reinstatement of Sanusi. The court also abrogated the Kano State Emirate Law of 2024, which had dissolved the five emirates within the state. This decision was contested by Aminu Babba Danagundi, a kingmaker in the defunct Kano Emirate, who challenged the validity of the new law and sought its nullification.

In light of the ongoing legal proceedings and the appellate court’s recent decision, the reinstatement of Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano remains suspended. All parties have been ordered to maintain the status quo until the Supreme Court delivers its final judgment on the appeal, thereby determining the rightful leadership of the Kano Emirate.