Court of Appeal in Abuja has advised all parties involved in the Kano Emirship dispute to exercise caution while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on their appeals.
Gatekeepers News reports that the appellate court has also issued a stay on actions taken regarding the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
In a unanimous ruling from a three-member panel led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, the court supported the withdrawal of a motion filed by the Kano State Government following the submission of the appeal record to the Supreme Court.
The Kano State Government had reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II based on the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which also nullified the appointment of Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir and four first-class emirs appointed by former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
On March 14, 2025, Justice Okon Abang issued a ruling to stay the execution of the Court of Appeal’s previous judgment that confirmed Sanusi II’s reinstatement. The judge directed all parties to maintain the status quo prior to the trial court’s decision issued on June 13, 2024.
Following Justice Abang’s ruling, the respondents expressed their dissatisfaction, claiming it was a misinterpretation of constitutional provisions, especially since an appeal had already been submitted to the Supreme Court. In response, Abdul Fagge (SAN), representing the appellant, did not oppose the notice and indicated that the respondents acted within constitutional guidelines.
During the subsequent hearing concerning the enforcement of earlier orders, counsel for the Kano State Government, Ibrahim Wangida, informed the court about an appeal notice filed against the stay of execution order from March 14, 2025. Wangida noted that all necessary legal procedures had been followed, including the transmission of the appeal record to the Supreme Court.
It was emphasized that the transmission of this record to the Supreme Court, as established by judicial precedent, automatically functions as a stay of action concerning the Court of Appeal’s ruling from March 14, 2025.
The court instructed all parties to proceed with caution while awaiting the Supreme Court’s hearing of their appeals.
