The Kano State government has mandated the demolition of a section of the palace belonging to Ado Bayero, the deposed 15th Emir of Kano.
Haruna Dederi, the state attorney-general and commissioner for justice, announced that the police have been instructed to take control of the Emir’s palace in Nassarawa LGA.
Dederi explained that the state government has finalized plans for the comprehensive reconstruction and renovation of the palace, which includes demolishing “dilapidated walls.”
This development follows a ruling by a federal high court in Kano on Thursday, which nullified all actions by the Kano state government related to the repeal of the Kano Emirates Council Law of 2019.
Presiding Judge Muhammad Liman ordered all parties to maintain the status quo, noting that the state government had disregarded an interim court order and proceeded with implementing the law.
Judge Liman indicated his willingness to enforce compliance with the court’s order through coercive measures if necessary. However, he transferred the case to Judge Simon Amobeda for further proceedings due to his elevation to the court of appeal.
Reacting to the court’s ruling, Dederi stated that the state government respects the verdict. “The Kano State Government acknowledges the ruling by the Federal High Court regarding the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 and views same as upholding the rule of law,” he said.
Dederi emphasized that the court’s ruling validated the law passed by the Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by the Executive Governor of Kano State on May 23, 2024. He clarified that actions taken by the government before the interim order are also validated, which includes the abolishment of the five emirates created in 2019 and the deposition of their emirs.
“This means that Muhammadu Sanusi II remains the Emir of Kano,” Dederi noted. He also mentioned that the court granted a stay of proceedings until the appeal on jurisdiction is resolved by the court of appeal.
The commissioner announced that the government has directed the State Commissioner of Police to remove the deposed emir from the palace property.
The government has initiated plans for the property’s general reconstruction, including the demolition and rebuilding of its dilapidated wall fence, to commence immediately.
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