Court of Appeal Lifts Stay on Sanusi’s Reinstatement, Defers to Supreme Court
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has set aside its earlier decision delaying the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as Emir of Kano, acknowledging the transmission of the case records to the Supreme Court and urging all parties to await the apex court’s judgment.
In a unanimous ruling on Tuesday, March 25, a five-member panel led by Justice Biobele Abraham Georgewill recognized the withdrawal of the Kano State government's application following the transfer of the appeal to the Supreme Court. During proceedings, Kano State counsel Ibrahim Wangida informed the court that a notice of appeal had been filed contesting the stay of execution order issued on March 14, 2025.
The transmission of the case records to the Supreme Court effectively acts as a stay on the Court of Appeal's March 14 ruling. Justice Okon Abang had initially ordered a stay of execution on the ruling that validated Sanusi's reinstatement as the 16th Emir of Kano. However, the Kano State Government, through Wangida, argued that the decision was flawed and inconsistent with constitutional provisions since the appeal had already been lodged before the Supreme Court.
In response, counsel for the appellant, Abdul Fagge, did not object to the notice, stating that the respondent had acted within constitutional provisions.
The emirship dispute arose after the Kano State Government revised the state’s chieftaincy laws, leading to the removal of Aminu Ado-Bayero and the reinstatement of Sanusi. The legal battle continues as all parties await the Supreme Court’s final ruling.
Comments