The Court of Appeal in Abuja has instructed all parties involved in the ongoing Kano Emirship dispute to exercise caution while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on their appeals. The appellate court has also suspended actions previously taken against the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
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A three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, delivered a unanimous ruling, supporting the Kano State Government’s decision to withdraw its application after the appeal records had been transmitted to the Supreme Court. The state government had reinstated Muhammadu Sanusi II in line with the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which also led to the removal of Aminu Ado Bayero as the 15th Emir, along with four other first-class emirs appointed under the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
On Friday, 14 March 2025, Justice Okon Abang issued a ruling that halted the execution of the Appeal Court’s earlier judgment, which had validated Sanusi’s reinstatement. The judge further directed all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum, meaning the situation should remain as it was before the lower court’s ruling on 13 June 2024.
However, the respondents strongly opposed Justice Abang’s ruling, arguing that it misinterpreted constitutional provisions, especially since an appeal had already been filed at the Supreme Court. In response, the appellant’s legal representative, Abdul Fagge (SAN), stated that the respondents were acting within their constitutional rights.
During the resumed hearing on enforcing its previous orders, counsel for the Kano State Government, Ibrahim Wangida, informed the court that an appeal had been lodged against the stay of execution order issued on 14 March 2025. He explained that all required legal processes had been completed, including transmitting the case records to the Supreme Court.
Under judicial precedent, the transmission of the appeal record to the Supreme Court effectively acts as a stay of execution on any ruling made by the Court of Appeal.
Following this submission, the appellate court directed all parties to remain cautious and await the Supreme Court’s final judgment before taking further action.
