Emulate the virtues of Fawehinmi: Emir Sanusi tasks lawyers

The Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has urged lawyers to emulate the virtues of the late Gani Fawehinmi. He described Fawehinmi as an embodiment of good character and virtues. Sanusi spoke on Wednesday at the 21st Memorial Lecture of Fawehinmi, organised by the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) Ikeja Branch in Lagos, as the chairman of the occasion. The lecture’s theme, `Bretton Woods and the African Economies: Can Nigerians Survive Another Structural Adjustment Programme’, sparked interesting discussions. According to Sanusi, the legal profession is currently lacking the good character and virtues that the late Fawehinmi embodied. Sanusi also announced that he would no longer offer advice to President Bola Tinubu’s administration on how to tackle the country’s economic challenges. He stated that he had initially tried to help the government but had now resolved not to do so again. “I can give a few points here about what we are going through and how it was predictable and avoidable. “But I am not going to do that because I have chosen not to speak on the economy, reforms or to explain anything because if I explain it, it will help this government. “But I do not want to help this government. “They are my friends but if they do not behave like friends, I will not behave like a friend,” he said. Sanusi added that he will only speak about the state of the economy whenever he is ready to do so. Human Rights Lawyer, Mr Femi Falana (SAN), expressed regret over the situation in Rivers, which he said had two speakers. Falana emphasised that this situation must not be allowed to continue. The Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Mr Festus Keyamo (SAN), described Fawehinmi’s legacy as one of courage, resilience, and unwavering commitment to justice for the common man. Keyamo was represented by Mr Henry Agbebire, a Director in the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). He reiterated his commitment to supporting initiatives that promote fairness, human rights, and socio-economic advancement. Keyamo also commended the NBA Ikeja branch for ensuring that the spirit of Fawehinmism lives on. Other prominent guests at the event included the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mazi Afam Osigwe (SAN), and the Lagos Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro

Kano Emirate Tussle: Kingmaker appeals Court of Appeal Judgement

Aminu Dan’Agundi, a kingmaker in Emir Ado Bayero’s cabinet says the faction will appeal the recent Court of Appeal judgement. Alhaji Aminu who is senior to the contending emir made the state state in relation to the suit regarding the Kano Emirship. In ruling on the matter, the Appeal Court said the Federal High Court, Kano does not have the powers to interfere in the matter, a judgement welcomed by Kano State Government. “This ruling validates the government’s lawful actions and clarifies jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, reinforcing the constitutional boundaries of courts in such affairs,’’ said Mr Haruna Dederi the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. However, addressing newsmen in Kano on Sunday, Dan’Agundi said he had instructed his legal team to appeal against the Court of Appeal’s ruling at the Supreme Court. READ ALSO: Zamfara Bombing: Gov Lawal Commends NAF He cited errors in the interpretation of the ruling on the side of government which backs Emir Muhammad Sunusi II for the throne. He said it was wrong for the Appeal Court to interpret the case as a chieftaincy matter rather than a fundamental human rights violation. Dan’ Agundi said he was not contesting the constitutional power of the Kano State House of Assembly to enact or repeal laws but that the Kano Emirate Council Law 2024 (Repeal) did not follow due process. He said as a kingmaker in the Emirate Council he should have been accorded a fair hearing before the emirate council law was repealed. READ ALSO: Addressing the Challenge of Frequent Grid Collapse in Nigeria “I went to the Federal High Court Kano to challenge the Kano State Government’s decision. “After hearing from all the parties, the trial judge, Justice AM Liman, assumed jurisdiction to hear our case on merit. “While delivering its judgment, the Appeal Court heavily relied on Supreme Court citation on Emir of Muri’s case, upholding that any issue relating to chieftaincy affairs has to go back to State High Court. “But our case and that of Emir of Muri are different. “Since the Court of Appeal held that the Federal High Court lacks jurisdiction to entertain our case, there is nothing I can do than to appeal the judgement,” he said. He said challenging the Appeal Court verdict meant that all actions regarding the Emirship be suspended pending the Supreme Court’s final judgment. READ ALSO: FG Commences Free CNG Bus Service in Abuja He, therefore, urged the public to remain calm and wait for the Supreme Court’s verdict on the issue.

Kano Emirate Tussle: The rumpus is far from over

As a Coalition for Justice and Rule of Law, convened by Dr. Bashir Danmalam faults the interpretation of the Appeal Court judgement by Kano State Government, which implies that the judgement is a validation of the disputed Emirate Council Law of 2024. They fault the Kano State Government’s interpretation of the judgement of the Court of Appeal regarding the Emir of Kano throne, saying it was concerned with the government’s stance on the court ruling. Danmalam said contrary to the opinion of the government, the Court of Appeal never validated the disputed Emirate Council Law of 2024. Similarly, he said, the Court of Appeal did not validate the disputed current government’s actions regarding the chieftaincy appointments and reforms in the state’s traditional institutions. He argued that the Court of Appeal never validated, legalised or upheld the disputed actions of the Executive Governor of Kano State pursuant to the disputed Emirate Council Law of 2024. “Independent and unbiased minds appreciate the fact that the judgement of the Court of Appeal are two in numbers. “One overturned the ruling of the Federal High Court on jurisdiction and the other overturned the entire judgement of the Kano State High Court,” he said. According to him, the judgement of the Court of Appeal in respect of the Federal High Court ruling held that the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters. “The judgement is not in support of any of the postulations of the Kano State government. “On the other side of the divide, the judgement of the Court of Appeal in the sister appeal is clearly in favour of His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero and the other 4 Emirates of Bichi, Gaya, Rano and Karaye. “This is because the Kano State High Court had earlier declared them improper by virtue of the new Emirate Law of 2024 and further directed the removal of His Highness Aminu Ado Bayero,’’ he said. He said the suit before the High Court was instituted by the government seeking nullification of the Emirship of Bayero, which the court granted to pave way for legitimacy of Alhaji Muhammad Sunusi II. Danmalam said the implications of the Appeal Court judgement was that the continuous occupation of the throne by Bayero remained legitimate while the attempted enthronement of Sunusi remained questionable. “We extend our appreciation to the judiciary for upholding the principles of justice and fairness. “We therefore strongly advise the Kano State Government to stop misleading itself and the public that the judgement of the Court of Appeal is in its favour,” he said. Most news organisations, including the Nigerian Anchor recalls that the Kano State Government welcomed the judgement as a validation of Sanusi’s Emirship, “This ruling validates the government’s lawful actions and clarifies jurisdiction over chieftaincy matters, reinforcing the constitutional boundaries of the courts in such affairs,“ said Mr Haruna Dederi the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice. However, the Bayero camp has indicated that it would appeal against the Appeal Court judgement at the Supreme Court. “I have already instructed my lawyers to obtain a certified true copy of the judgement. “Once an appeal is lodged at the Supreme Court, the decision of a lower court is stayed until the case is fully resolved,” said Aminu Dan’Agundi, senior counsel to Bayero. The former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was first crowned Sarki Muhammadu Sunusi II (anglicized as Sanusi) on 9 June 2014, the fifty-seventh monarch of the ancient-city Kano. He was however, ousted in 2020 by then Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano state after being accused of showing “insubordination” to the authorities. His supporters were however, of the believe that he was sacked as he showed signs of opposing the re-election of the governor. After his dethronement, Governor Ganduje influenced the Kano state house of assembly to pass a law that created five new emirates in the state and appointed Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero as the new Emir in Kano. The Emir of Kano, hierarchically is the fourth-most-important Islamic traditional ruler in Nigeria after the Sultan of Sokoto, Shehu of Borno and Emir of Gwandu. Informed sources in Kano opine that the current ping pong represents power play between the federal government and the kano state government, with each favouring a particular candidate as emir.

Sanusi Speaks On Sealing Of Kano Palace By Security Operatives 

The 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, has expressed confusion over the recent blockade of the Gidan Rumfa Palace in Kano, which took place last week.  Despite the police and Department of State Services (DSS) blocking the entrance and restricting movement, the reasons for the action remain unclear. Sources revealed that the blockade might be linked to the appointment of Munir Sanusi as the new District Head of Bichi or a planned discussion on controversial tax reforms. PLEASE READ: FCCPC Uncovers Smuggled Sub-standard Sugar in Nigeria The Kano State Government has criticized the Federal Government for the security action, but the Emir emphasized that it should not distract from the important affairs of the palace.  Speaking to a delegation from Bichi, Sanusi reassured the people that the event would be rescheduled, and the District Head would be installed peacefully.  He urged Bichi residents to remain calm and peaceful, reflecting on his personal connection to the area where he spent much of his childhood vacations. Sanusi, who has deep ties to the Bichi community, highlighted the area’s peaceful nature and strong educational and religious values.  He also mentioned the respect the people have for the Wambai Abubakar, further reinforcing his belief in the unity of the Bichi people.