Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, Senior Counsel to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, has threatened to take legal action against the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, if he continues to parade himself as Emir, insisting that such actions amount to contempt of court.
Addressing newsmen on Saturday, Dan’Agundi, who is also the Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano Emirate – a traditional title – emphasised that the recent Court of Appeal ruling mandates all parties to maintain the status quo ante bellum before the ongoing legal dispute began.
He said, “We have two prayers. First, seeking an order of this Honourable Court granting an Injunction restraining the Appellants and other Respondents by themselves, their agents, privies, servants, or personal representatives from enforcing the Judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024, Kano State House of Assembly and Anor. vs. Alhaji Aminu Babba Mohammad Mustapha, JCA, Hon Justice Abdu Dogo, JCA (‘Lower Court’), delivered on the 10th day of January, 2025, pending the hearing and determination of the 1st Respondent/Applicant’s appeal filed on the 24th day of January, 2025, before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
“Second, an order of this Honourable Court granting mandatory injunction for the maintenance of the status quo ante bellum by the parties as well as the Sheriff of the Court of Appeal and the Trial Court as was the position before Justice A. M. Liman (now JCA) in his judgment on the 13th day of June, 2024, in Suit No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 between Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi vs. Kano State House of Assembly & 7 Ors, pending the hearing and determination of the 1st Respondent/Applicant’s appeal against the Judgment of the Court of Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024.”
Dan’Agundi explained that the Court of Appeal granted both orders, reaffirming the validity of the ruling.
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He further stressed, “Upon the Court being satisfied that the applicant has a valid and arguable appeal before the Supreme Court against the decision of this Court dated 10/1/2025, and upon the Court being satisfied also that the applicant has a legal right that is deserving to be protected pending the outcome of his appeal at the Supreme Court, and that the balance of convenience is on his side… It is hereby ordered as follows: An injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondents herein named either themselves, their agents, privies, servants, or personal representatives from enforcing the judgment of this Court in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024 Kano State House of Assembly and Anor vs. Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi & Others delivered on 10/1/2025, pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s appeal filed on 24/1/2025 before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.”
Dan’Agundi emphasised that the most crucial part of the ruling is the second order, which mandates maintaining the status quo ante bellum, meaning that the emirate must revert to its pre-litigation state.
“What this means is we should maintain the status quo ante before I went to court to challenge the repeal of the Kano Emirate law, which the state government used to remove all the Emirs. And what was the position? The position is that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero is the Emir of Kano and so are all other Emirs.”
He, however, warned of legal consequences should Sanusi continue to lay claim to the Emirship position of the ancient city.
“So if for any other reason, Sanusi parades himself as an Emir of Kano, that will amount to contempt of the court because of this ruling. Respect the rule of law. And if for any other reason, he (Sanusi) decided to do otherwise, I will take him to court and charge him for contempt,” Bayero’s counsel added.
He urged all security agencies in Kano to ensure that the court’s ruling is enforced.
“We have been granted this order, and it must be followed. Unless and until a higher court, the Supreme Court, sets aside this order, everybody must abide by it. I am appealing to all security agencies responsible for maintaining peace in the state to make sure that the rule of law is followed,” Dan’Agundi urged.
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