Kano Kingmaker Threatens Legal Action Against Sanusi Over Emirship Dispute

The Sarkin Dawakin Babba of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Babban DanAgundi, has warned that he may take legal action against Muhammadu Sanusi II for contempt of court if he continues to act as the Emir of Kano, despite a recent ruling by the Court of Appeal.

DanAgundi, a prominent traditional titleholder and supporter of the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, insisted that Sanusi must abide by the law and stop parading himself as the 16th Emir of Kano.

Speaking at a press briefing on Saturday at the Nassarawa mini palace, DanAgundi challenged the Kano State Government’s decision to reinstate Sanusi. He maintained that Bayero remains the legally recognized emir until the Supreme Court delivers its final ruling on the ongoing dispute.

Court Ruling and Legal Interpretation

Citing the Court of Appeal’s ruling on Friday, DanAgundi pointed to an order restraining all parties from enforcing the judgment in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024. He explained that a motion had been filed to halt the execution of the court’s previous verdict while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision.

“We appealed the verdict because we were not satisfied. The court has now ruled that all parties must maintain the status quo ante bellum, meaning things should return to how they were before this case was challenged. This means that Aminu Ado Bayero is still the rightful emir,” he stated.

DanAgundi also criticized different interpretations of the ruling, particularly from the state government, and challenged legal experts to prove him wrong.

“If Sanusi continues to act as emir, I won’t hesitate to take legal action. We will charge him with contempt of court because the law must be upheld,” he warned.

He further called on security agencies, including the police and the Department of State Services (DSS), to enforce the Court of Appeal’s order while awaiting the Supreme Court’s decision.

Kano State Government’s Response

Meanwhile, Kano State’s Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Haruna Isa Dederi, responded to the controversy, insisting that the Court of Appeal’s latest ruling does not invalidate Sanusi’s reinstatement.

According to Dederi, the January 10, 2025, judgment had already affirmed the state government’s authority to reappoint Sanusi. He argued that the Court of Appeal cannot overturn its own ruling on the same matter.

With legal battles still unfolding, the emirship dispute in Kano remains far from settled, leaving the fate of the throne in the hands of the Supreme Court.