A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has awarded N10 million in compensation to deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero over the order for his arrest and eviction from the palace.
Chronicle NG reports that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf dethroned Ado Bayero last month and ordered him to hand over power within 48 hours.
However, Bayero, who was out of Kano at the time the order was given, returned and moved into the mini palace in Nasarawa.
Infuriated by the development, Governor Yusuf ordered his immediate arrest.
The dethroned 15th Emir of Kano had headed for the court to challenge Yusuf’s action.
He also prayed to the court to nullify the law through which the governor deposed him and reinstated Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II.
Respondents in the suit were the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Attorney General of Kano State, the Nigeria Police Force, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Commissioner of Police in Kano, the State Security Service (SSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force, and the Nigerian Navy.
Delivering judgement on Friday, the presiding judge, Justice Simon Amobeda, held that his court had jurisdiction to hear and entertain the matter of fundamental rights enforcement.
He also ruled that Bayero has the liberty and legal right to move freely and live anywhere in Kano or elsewhere in Nigeria.
The court, however, failed to order Sanusi’s removal from the Gidan Rumfa Palace.
Ibrahim Isa Wangida, counsel for the Kano state government and Sanusi, regarded the decision as a triumph for the emir and his supporters because the court did not overturn the law that justified Sanusi’s reinstatement.
He stated that he will speak with his clients on whether or not to appeal the N10 million award against them.
Ado Bayero’s counsel, Abdulrazaq Ahmad, stated that the verdict confirmed his position that the court has inherent jurisdiction to hear and decide the issue and that his client’s fundamental rights had been or were likely to be violated.
He stated that the ruling prohibits the state government or any security services from violating the emir’s rights.
