Renowned human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has asserted that Kano State must uphold the tradition of having a single Emir, as affirmed by a recent Court of Appeal judgment.
Speaking at the 21st Memorial Lecture of Chief Gani Fawehinmi in Lagos, Falana lauded the court’s decision, emphasizing its legal and cultural significance despite ongoing opposition.
“Your Majesty, we want to congratulate you for your victory at the Court of Appeal,” Falana said, addressing the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.
“Your opponents say they are going to the Supreme Court, but as far as the law is concerned, it is settled.
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The traditional institution is not a fundamental rights matter, and chieftaincy disputes fall under the jurisdiction of state high courts, not federal high courts.”
The legal luminary urged the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) to hold erring lawyers accountable for misleading their clients and prolonging disputes.
“If some of our colleagues are deceiving their clients and causing problems in the country, the NBA owes it a duty to intervene and call them to order,” he stated.
Falana’s remarks came in the wake of a ruling by a three-member panel of justices at the Court of Appeal, which declared that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over the nullification of the appointment of the 16th Emir of Kano.
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Justice Kolawole, who delivered the lead judgment, stated that such matters should be handled by the Kano State High Court, citing the chieftaincy’s traditional nature.
The decision has not deterred opposition voices. Aminu Babba Danagundi, the principal plaintiff in the case, has vowed to escalate the matter to the Supreme Court.
A staunch supporter of the former Emir, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Danagundi declared his readiness to pursue the legal battle indefinitely.
“The battleground has just been drawn. I am prepared to follow this case for the next 20 years if necessary,” he said.
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Danagundi’s resolve shows the contentious nature of the Kano emirate dispute, which has drawn national attention due to its implications for traditional institutions in Nigeria.
The ruling, which bolstered Bayero’s position, has sparked debates about the role of the judiciary in chieftaincy matters and the boundaries of its jurisdiction.
Falana’s call for a singular Emir in Kano aligns with his broader advocacy for stability and respect for legal precedents in Nigeria’s traditional institutions.
“We can’t have two Emirs in Kano, just as we can’t have two speakers in Rivers. This confusion must stop,” he declared.
As the legal tussle unfolds, all eyes remain on the Supreme Court, where the ultimate decision could reshape the dynamics of traditional leadership in Kano State.
DailyTrust