By Kingston Magare
Following the conflicting judgements given by the Federal High Court and Kano High Court concerning who between Lamido Sanusi and Ado Bayero is the Emir of Kano, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, Wednesday summoned the Judges involved in the legal fiasco to Abuja.
Last week Thursday the Kano State governor Abba Yusuf signed into law a billed, which nullified emirates earlier created by a former governor, Abdullahi Ganduje and reinstate Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano, after he was dethroned by Ganduje in 2020.
A Kano High Court presided over Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, last Friday gave an order instructing the police to eject Ado Bayero from the Palace and on Tuesday the Federal High Court sitting in Kano presided over by Justice S. A. Amobeda, also gave a similar order instructing the police to evict Sanusi Lamido from the Palace.
This summons follows the issuance of conflicting interim injunctions by the two courts, which have created significant uncertainty and tension within the state.
Justice Arowolo in summoning the judges stressed the need for unified judiciary in the interest of the public.
“The upcoming meeting with the chief judges aims to clarify jurisdictional boundaries and prevent future occurrences of conflicting judicial orders,” said Justice Arowolo.
“The situation in Kano has garnered national attention, with many stakeholders calling for a swift resolution following the state government’s decision to sack Emir Ado Bayero and reinstate Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II.”
The Nigerian Bar Association president, Yakubu Maikyau SAN, condemned the conduct of the judges and lawyers involved in the brouhaha adding that it was a disgrace to the legal profession
A statement by Maikyau signed by the NBA national publicity secretary Akorede Lawal, said: “The damage would take the legal profession a long time to recover from. It is unfortunate and was uncalled for.
“Without prejudice to the subsisting actions before both the Federal High Court and the Kano State High Court, it is my considered view that there is an urgent need to scrutinise the professional conducts of both Counsel and the Judges involved in these matters.
“This is to enable the relevant bodies or institutions to determine their culpability or, otherwise, from an ethical and professional standpoint.”
