The Court of Appeal in Abuja has put a temporary stop to the reinstatement of former Central Bank Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.
In a unanimous ruling on Friday, a three-member panel led by Justice Okon Abang suspended the enforcement of its earlier judgment, pending the Supreme Court’s decision on the matter.
The court found merit in applications CA/KN/27M/2025 and CA/KN/28M/2025, both related to the ongoing Kano Emirate dispute.
The ruling stated: “An injunction is hereby granted restraining the respondents (Kano State House of Assembly, Kano State Government, etc.), either by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, or personal representatives, from enforcing the judgment of this Court in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024 – Kano State House of Assembly & Anor Vs Alhaji Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi & Others, delivered on 10/1/2025, pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s appeal filed on 24/1/2025 before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
The court also instructed all parties to maintain the status quo until the Supreme Court issues its verdict. Additionally, the applicant was given 48 hours to file an undertaking to indemnify the respondents in case the injunction was found to be unjustified.
This latest development follows the appellate court’s January 10 ruling, which overturned a previous decision by Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court. That ruling had invalidated the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which paved the way for Sanusi’s return as Emir.
The appellate court held that Justice Liman lacked jurisdiction to nullify the Kano State Government’s actions under the 2024 Emirates Council Law. It further ruled that the fundamental rights suit filed by kingmaker Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, which influenced Justice Liman’s decision, was legally flawed.
With the Supreme Court now set to weigh in, the fate of the Kano Emirate remains
