The National Coalition of Northern Lawyers and a group of activists under the aegis of Public Interest Activists (NCNLPIA), have commended the ruling of the Federal High Court, Kano, which reinstated Alhaji Ado Bayero as Emir Kano.
Mr Napoleon Otache, NCNLPIA convener, on Friday in Abuja commended the court for what he described as upholding the rule of law and protecting the sanctity of traditional institutions.
He said at a news conference that the ruling was a victory for justice, truth, and the people of Kano State.
According to him, the judgment vindicates the popular stance on the illegality of the Kano State Government in dissolving the Kano Emirates.
He urged Gov. Abba Yusuf to apologise to Emir Ado Bayero for the humiliation and embarrassment inflicted upon him by the dethronement, including the unlawful dissolution of the Kano Emirates.
Otache advised the governor to respect the court’s decision and work towards peace and reconciliation in Kano State.
He said that with the judgement, the court had again proven that the judiciary was the last hope of the common man, adding that the court’s ruling has demonstrated that the rule of law must be obeyed.
He said: “the judiciary has given the rude awakening that it is there to correct the conversion of the Kano State House of Assembly.
It would be recalled that Justice Abdullahi Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano overturned all the actions taken by Gov Yusuf after the Kano Emirate law was amended by the State House of Assembly on May 23.
Justice Liman faulted the governor’s assent to the bill and the presentation of an appointment letter to Sanusi on May 24, 2024 in spite an order of court directing all parties to maintain status quo.
However, through the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, the state government gave a different interpretation to the ruling.
“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.
“By the ruling of the Court, it has unequivocally reaffirmed the validity of the law passed by Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by His Excellency the Executive Governor of Kano State on Thursday 23rd May, 2024 by 5: 10pm’’, he said. (NAN)
By Femi Ogunshola
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