Kano emirate tussle: court orders Bayero, 4 others to stop parading as emirs

A Kano State High Court has ordered Aminu Ado Bayero to stop parading himself as the Emir of Kano.

The court, in a judgement by Amina Aliyu, on Monday, July 15, also barred four other deposed emirs from posing as the emirs of Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya.

According to the court’s ruling, they should return the government’s moveable and immovable items in their custody.

The judge deferred the decision on the applications for a notice of preliminary objection, joinder, extension of time, and the judge’s recusal until July 18 on August 4.

The Kano State government filed the lawsuit on May 27, 2024, through its lawyer, Ibrahim Isah-Wangida.

The suit sought to prevent Bayero and other deposed emirs from posing as traditional leaders.

Ibrahim-Gaya (Emir of Gaya), Ibrahim Abubakar II (Emir of Karaye), Kabiru Muhammad-Inuwa (Emir of Rano), Aminu Ado Bayero (15th Emir of Kano), and Nasiru Ado Bayero (2nd Emir of Bichi) were listed as respondents.

The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Army, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director of the State Security Service in the State were also included among the respondents.

The court’s ruling was another turning point in the ongoing narrative of the state emirship tradition.

The emirship tussle in Kano has persisted for months since the government abolished the five emirates in the state.

The matter had been pending in courts, as the state High Court and a Federal High Court issued conflicting orders on the saga.