El-Rufai Faults Federal High Court’s Meddling In Kano Emirate Case

Former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, has criticized the Federal High Court’s involvement in the Kano Emirate chieftaincy dispute, asserting that such matters fall outside its jurisdiction.

El-Rufai made the remarks while congratulating Emir Muhammad Sanusi II on the Appeal Court’s decision, which nullified an earlier Federal High Court order that had invalidated his appointment as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Appeal Court Nullifies High Court Ruling

Naija News had earlier reported that the Appeal Court’s three-justice panel in Abuja overturned the Federal High Court’s June 20, 2024, judgment, which nullified the appointment of Sanusi.

The Federal High Court had acted on a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, a former kingmaker, who alleged that his rights had been violated in the process of Sanusi’s appointment.

Justice Abdul Dogo, delivering one of the Appeal Court’s judgments, ruled that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

“The Federal High Court proceeded in error when it erroneously turned a chieftaincy matter into a fundamental rights enforcement case,” Justice Dogo said.

He added, “The Federal High Court judge was in grave error in nullifying the steps taken by the Kano State Government under the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, including the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.”

The Appeal Court declared the Federal High Court’s ruling invalid and restored the legality of the Kano State Government’s actions under the Emirate Council Law.

El-Rufai Calls For NJC Disciplinary Action

Reacting to the Appeal Court’s decision, El-Rufai called for disciplinary action against the Federal High Court judge responsible for the now-nullified ruling.

The former governor wrote on X, “KANO UPDATE: Congratulations to my dear friend and brother, His Highness, Emir Muhammad Sanusi II, for this judgement.

“The Federal High Court has no business dabbling into chieftaincy matters outside of the FCT, and the erring judge ought to be disciplined by the NJC for the intentionally erroneous and disgraceful judgement.”