The Court of Appeal in Abuja has directed all parties involved in the Kano Emirship dispute to maintain restraint while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision on their appeals.
In its ruling, the appellate court also put on hold any actions challenging the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano.
The decision was reached by a three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Biobele Georgewill, which upheld the withdrawal of an application earlier filed by the Kano State Government after the appeal records were transmitted to the Supreme Court.
The Kano State Government had reinstated Sanusi II following the enactment of the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, which effectively removed Aminu Ado Bayero and dissolved the additional emirates created by the previous administration of Abdullahi Umar Ganduje.
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On March 14, 2025, Justice Okon Abang issued a ruling suspending the Court of Appeal’s earlier judgment that validated Sanusi II’s reinstatement.
He further ordered that all parties maintain the status quo ante bellum, ensuring that the situation remained as it was before the lower court’s decision on June 13, 2024.
However, the respondents challenged Justice Abang’s ruling, arguing that it misinterpreted constitutional provisions since an appeal was already pending before the Supreme Court.
During the resumed hearing on the enforcement of previous orders, the Kano State Government’s legal counsel, Ibrahim Wangida, informed the court that a notice of appeal had been filed against the stay of execution ruling issued on March 14.
He further stated that all legal processes had been finalized, including the transmission of the appeal records to the Supreme Court.
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By legal precedent, the transmission of the case to the Supreme Court effectively suspends any further action on the Court of Appeal’s March 14 ruling.
In light of this, the appellate court advised all parties to refrain from taking further steps until the Supreme Court adjudicates the matter.
