The Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano, Aminu Babba Danagundi, has declared that the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, is still the genuine Emir of Kano even with the current Federal Appeal Court’s judgement.
He stated this yesterday at a press conference in Kano held at the emir’s Nasarawa residence.
He further stated that, in his position as the plaintiff in the case, the judgement does not say Muhammadu Sanusi II is the emir of Kano.
He called on the respondents to stop misinterpreting the judgement and misleading the public because he was already heading to the Supreme Court for judgment.
He explained that what they sorted from the court was the issue of their rights to fair hearing being denied by the court in the state. The Appeal Court judgement says the Federal High Court lacks the jurisdiction to deliver judgment on chieftaincy matters, referring to it as the responsibility of the state high court.
He expressed disappointment in Emir Sanusi II when he spoke at a Friday sermon and declared himself victorious in the case.
He further stated that the judgements are in two phases, neither declaring either of the parties involved as victorious or vanquished.
“I have heard the emir of Kano Sanusi in the media saying he was victorious in the case, but there was nothing victorious for him to claim. Just like we will not claim victory in the case even as we were also victorious, he, too, cannot claim victory.
“In reality, we were the ones that were victorious in this case. The justices said the Federal High Court has no jurisdiction to decide on matters concerning chieftaincy issues or traditional titles.
“I heard the Emir saying the complainant knows the court had no jurisdiction. In my position as the complainant in the case, we were not complaining about the enthronement or dethronement of the emir. We were rather complaining about our fundamental rights to fair hearing.
“You cannot just come and make laws without considering people like us who have served in the system for over thirty years. His Highness, the Emir of Kano Aminu Ado Bayero, served for over thirty years, from the level of a district head to becoming the emir.
“It is unlawful for any government to come and remove an Emir without giving him the right to defend himself. There is the need for a fair hearing before, without which this is a violation. It is God’s rule for fair hearing, as in the case of God Almighty and Prophet Adam.
“Our complaint before the court was about our fundamental human rights to a fair hearing, and we were denied a fair hearing. No government will emerge and abuse procedures disregarding the rule of law.
“What the past regime did was in accordance with the rule of law, but this is in total disregard to it”, he stated.
He stated that they are heading to the Supreme Court for a final judgment and will apply for a stay of execution pending the final judgment.
He, therefore, reiterated that Aminu Ado Bayero is still the Emir of Kano and called on Muhammad Sanusi II to stop parading himself as the emir.
