The Court of Appeal in Kano has overturned a June 20 ruling by Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, which had nullified actions taken by the Kano State Government under the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024. This includes the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja ruled that the June 20 order lacked jurisdiction. The court determined that the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, an aggrieved kingmaker, was invalid and outside the scope of the Federal High Court.

The appeal was filed by the Kano State House of Assembly and its Speaker, challenging Justice Liman’s ruling. The Kano State House of Assembly had enacted the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law on May 23, 2024, which was promptly signed into law by the state governor. The law led to the removal of Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir, reinstating Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir, and reversing five new Emirates created by former Governor Umar Ganduje’s administration.

Justice Liman had earlier ruled that these actions violated an earlier order issued on May 23, 2024, directing all parties in Agundi’s case to maintain the status quo. However, the Court of Appeal disagreed, reaffirming the legitimacy of the Kano State Government’s actions under the new Emirate Council Law.