By Parrot Newspaper 
Appeal Court Halts Sanusi’s Reinstatement
By Ricky Awodi
The legal tussle over the reinstatement of Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano has taken another dramatic turn, as the Court of Appeal in Abuja has halted the implementation of the judgment that vacated the nullification of his appointment.
A three-member panel of justices, led by Justice Okon Abang, ruled on Friday that the January 10 judgment, which reversed the nullification of Sanusi II’s appointment, should not be enforced until the Supreme Court hears the appeal. This latest ruling adds another layer of complexity to the ongoing dispute over the traditional leadership of Kano.
A Prolonged Legal Battle
Sanusi II, who was removed as Emir of Kano in 2020 by the administration of former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, was reinstated in 2024 following the enactment of the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law. However, a Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Abubakar Liman, nullified the law and ordered parties to maintain the status quo, effectively preventing Sanusi II from returning to the throne.
On January 10, Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Court of Appeal ruled that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to nullify Sanusi’s reinstatement, arguing that chieftaincy disputes fall under the purview of state high courts. The ruling ordered the transfer of the case to the Kano State High Court.
However, in response to fresh applications (CA/KN/27M/2025 and CA/KN/28M/2025), the appellate court has now halted the enforcement of that ruling, pending the final determination of the case at the Supreme Court.
Legal Justifications for the Stay of Execution
Justice Abang emphasized the need to preserve the subject matter before the court, arguing that the former emir had served for five years before his removal and deserved legal protection. He also cited Section 251 of the Nigerian Constitution and Section 22(2) of the Federal High Court Act, which outline the jurisdictional boundaries of courts in chieftaincy disputes.
The appellate court ruled that the proper approach was to transfer the matter to the Kano State High Court rather than treating it as a fundamental rights case at the Federal High Court. However, there was a dissenting opinion from Justices Mohammed Mustapha and Abdul Dogo, who argued that the suit should have been struck out instead of transferred.
Implications for Kano’s Traditional Leadership
The legal back-and-forth over Sanusi II’s reinstatement has sparked political and traditional tensions in Kano State. His removal in 2020 was widely viewed as politically motivated, given his outspoken stance on governance issues. His reinstatement in 2024 by the new administration of Governor Abba Yusuf was seen as an attempt to reverse what many considered an unjust removal.
With the Court of Appeal now halting his reinstatement, the matter is set for a long legal battle that may ultimately be decided by the Supreme Court. Until then, the question of who rightfully holds the throne remains unresolved, keeping the Kano Emirate in a state of uncertainty.
What Next?
As the case progresses, all eyes will be on the Supreme Court, which now has the final say on whether Sanusi II’s reinstatement will stand. For now, the Appeal Court’s ruling maintains the pre-existing order, leaving the throne in contention.
Parrot Newspaper will continue to provide updates as the legal drama unfolds.