Deposed Emir Bayero
Emirship tussle: Kano Govt orders demolition of Ado-Bayero’s palace, as stakeholders kick
The Kano State government is going ahead to demolish the Nasarawa mini palace occupied by deposed emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, told newsmen that Governor Abba Yusuf gave the demolition order on Thursday.
This was after the court ruling that nullified all the steps taken by the state government, including the reinstatement of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as Emir of Kano.
The state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Dederi, disclosed the development while addressing newsmen on Thursday.
The Attorney-General said the demolition will allow for the renovation of the palace which will commence immediately.
Dederi also said the Commissioner of Police has been expressly told to evict Bayero from the Nasarawa GRA mini palace where he resides.
According to him, the state government has “concluded arrangements for the general reconstruction and renovation of the property including the demolishing and reconstruction of the dilapidated wall fence with immediate effect.”
Indeed, this is a new twist in the tussle for the throne of the Emir of the ancient city as the demolition order comes a few hours after the Federal High Court nullified the dethronement of Bayero.
The court ruled on its substantive suit validating the Kano Emirate Council Repeal Law 2024 but nullifying all actions of Governor Abba Yusuf following the passage of the law.
The governor’s action is seen by some people as constituting a flagrant disobedience to a clear court order, after the Federal High Court on Thursday criticised the governor for being aversive to the rule of law.
However, Dederi insisted that the government had finalised plans to renovate the palace.
According to him, the Kano government has concluded plans for immediate demolition and reconstruction of its dilapidated wall.
Dederi acknowledged the Kano Division of the Federal High Court ruling regarding the Kano Emirates Council (Repeal) Law, 2024 and viewed same as upholding the rule of law.
He said “The ruling of the court has unequivocally reaffirmed the validity of the law passed by the Kano State House of Assembly and assented to by the governor on May 2024.
“This part of the judgment is very fundamental to the entire matter. Further implication of the ruling is that all actions taken by the government before the emergence of the interim order of the court are equally validated.
“This means that abolishing the five emirates created in 2019 is validated and the deposition of the five emirs is also sustained by the Federal High Court.
“By implication, this means that Muhammadu Sanusi II remains the Emir of Kano. The judge also granted our application for the stay of proceedings until the Court of Appeal deals with the appeal on jurisdiction.
“Happily, the signing of the law and the reinstatement of Sanusi II were done on 23 May, 2024 before the emergence of the Interim Order, which was served on us on 27 May, 2024.”
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