The Federal High Court sitting in Kano has ruled against Kano State Government and others challenging its jurisdiction to entertain a suit on fundamental human rights instituted by Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan’agundi over the Kano emirate tussle.
The ruling came as the state police command announced a total ban on all Sallah Durbar activities following the requests by the Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and the deposed Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, to conduct Durbar activities ahead of the Eid-el-Kabir celebration.
Delivering the ruling on jurisdiction on Thursday, the presiding judge, Justice Abdullahi M. Liman, ruled that the court had jurisdiction to entertain the matter concerning the applicant’s fundamental human rights.
Liman gave the ruling relying on Section 42, sub-section 1, and Section 315 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, in connection with the emirship tussle.
Reacting to the ruling, the counsel to the second and third respondents, Ibrahim Wangida, promised to meet with his client and decide whether or not they will appeal the ruling at the Court of Appeal.
Dan’Agundi had approached the court seeking enforcement of his fundamental human rights, which he said had been violated by the state government by removing Aminu Ado Bayero as Emir of Kano.
Joined in the suit are Kano State Government, as the first respondent, Kano State House of Assembly (second), Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly (third), Attorney General of Kano State (fourth), Kano State Commissioner of Police (fifth), Inspector General of Police (IGP) (sixth), and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and Department of State Services (DSS) as seventh and eighth respondents, respectively.
Liman adjourned the matter till Friday for hearing of all pending applications, saying the case is too sensitive to be dragged for too long.
Police Ban Sallah Durbar Activities During Eid-el-Kabir Celebration
As part of measures to avert clashes between supporters of the Emir of Kano, Sanusi, and the deposed Emir, Bayero, especially, during the sallah festivities, the police placed a total ban on Durbar-related issues to ensure law and order during and after the Sallah period.
A statement issued yesterday by the command’s spokesman, Abdullahi Kiyawa, said the police urged worshippers to conduct their normal Eid prayers at the various designated Eid praying grounds, as traditionally done in the past.
The statement added, “Adequate security deployments have been arranged to maintain law and order before, during, and after the festive period.
“In anticipation of the upcoming Eid-El-Kabir celebrations, the Kano State Police Command has announced a series of security measures, including a ban on all Durbar activities throughout the state.
“The police congratulated Muslim faithful and law-abiding residents for witnessing another Eid-El-Kabir and assured that adequate security deployments have been arranged to maintain law and order before, during, and after the festive period.”
The command called for continued cooperation from all stakeholders to collectively build a safer and more secure environment.
The decision to ban the traditional Sallah durbar activities might not be unconnected with a circular attributed to the deposed emir, Ado Bayero, inviting all the district heads to participate in the upcoming traditional Sallah Durbar in the state.
Ahmad Sorondinki
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