Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-Rufai has declared dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II as a global citizen who is well connected and known all over the world. El-Rufai, who was in Awe on Friday, said he came to show solidarity to the deposed emir. He attended the Friday prayer in Awe, which was led by Sanusi II. “His Highness Sanusi is a global citizen. I am here to show solidarity,” he said.
El-Rufai and Sanusi II left Awe for Lafia on Friday. The dethroned Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II regained his freedom, few hours after a Federal High Court in Abuja ordered his immediate release. The deposed Emir was taken to Awe in Nassarwa state after his dethronement by Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state. He was dethroned over alleged disrespect to the office of the governor and other government agencies.
The 14th emir of Kano was hours after his removal banished to Nasarawa State, a development that elicited outcry from different quarters. He was subsequently replaced by Aminu Ado Bayero, the son of the 13th emir of Kano. READ: Who is Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the new Emir of Kano? Sanusi II, on Thursday instituted a suit before the Federal High Court in Abuja seeking an order for his release from detention and confinement. Also, lawyers and civil society groups have continued mounting pressure on the federal and Kano State governments to allow the dethroned emir enjoy his freedom.
In a fundamental rights enforcement application filed by his lawyers led by Lateef Fagbemi, Prof. Konyinsola Ajayi and Abubakar Mahmoud, all Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Sanusi sought for two reliefs: “An interim order releasing him from detention and/or confinement of the respondents and restoring the applicant’s rights to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement in Nigeria (apart from Kano State) pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s Originating Motion.” Respondents in the suit include the Inspector General of Police, the Director General, Department of State Service (DSS), Attorney General of Kano State and the Attorney General of the Federation.
The application was brought under sections 34, 35, 40, 41 and 46 of the Nigerian Constitution, and Articles 5, 6, 10, 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 LFN 2010 and Order IV Rules 3 and 4 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.
