A group of nine palace officials have sued the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, and 12 others over what they described as their illegal eviction and the destruction of their ancestral homes within the Kano palace premises.
The suit, filed before the High Court of Justice, Bichi Judicial Division, is being presided over by Justice Musa Ahmad of High Court No. 20, Bichi Division.
The applicants, led by Usman Dako, the Galadiman Sallama, include Auwalu Maikudi (Sarkin Lema), Sani Mohammad (Sani Kwano), Abba Mohammad (Sarkin Tafarki), Abubakar Mohammad (Majidadin Da Rai), Abdullahi Garba (O.G. Direba), Haruna Mohammad (O.G. Direba), Rabiu Sani (Baba Ta’aji), and Hajiya Jummai Bala Danmori.
Those listed as respondents include Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, the Kano Emirate Council, Hassa Sani Agola, Mujtafa Abba Mai Kada (Sarkin Yakin Kano), Yusuf Muntari Kabara (Mai England), Muhammad Wada Najalo (Shamakkin Kano) and Sadiku Wada (Halifan Shamaki).
Others include the Inspector General of Police, Assistant Inspector General of Police Zone 1, Commissioner of Police Kano, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
In the motion ex-parte filed on July 11, 2025, the applicants sought urgent judicial intervention against their eviction, which they claimed was executed under the guise of loyalty disputes in the ongoing Kano Emirate crisis.
Upon hearing from the applicants’ counsel, Mr. Hassan Tanko Kyaure, the court granted an order directing all parties to maintain the status quo ante pending the determination of the substantive motion on notice.
The court also approved substituted service of court documents on respondents based within Kano via the Emirate Council Secretariat, and on those outside the jurisdiction, particularly in Abuja, through courier service.
LEADERSHIP reports that tensions escalated when families of officials perceived to be loyal to the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero were allegedly asked to vacate their residences inside the palace.
In a viral video, Usman Dako recounted how his family was evicted, their home vandalised, and his wife and children harassed.
“My grandfather died in 1949 and my father in 1995. My father was born in this palace, I was also born in this palace. So don’t I deserve all the privileges and rights in the palace?” Dako said.
He disclosed that Shamaki, the Chief of Staff of the palace, informed him that the current Emir does not want any servant still loyal to Emir Bayero to remain in the palace.
“I was told by Shamaki that the Emir does not want any servant that is loyal to Emir Bayero to keep staying in the palace, but I see no reason why he should take such a stance. Historically, other servants have refused allegiance to the reigning Emir, yet no action was taken against them, even during the reign of the late Ado Bayero,” he said.
Dako also alleged that his house, allocated to his father by the late Emir Ado Bayero, was demolished by hoodlums operating with the knowledge of palace authorities.
“The people harassing us were not born in the palace. We know where they were and what they were doing before the Emir brought them close to him,” he alleged.
Despite the eviction, Dako reaffirmed his loyalty to the deposed Emir Aminu Ado Bayero. “Nobody can stop me from being loyal to Aminu Ado Bayero. His late father treated us well. Whether he is an emir or a commoner, we will follow him because we are destined to serve him,” he declared.
Emir Sanusi II, who is currently in South Africa on an official engagement, has yet to respond to the allegations or the lawsuit. The Kano Emirate Council has also not issued any statement.
The case is expected to come up for hearing in the coming weeks as the emirate tussle in Kano continues to stir controversies and legal battles.
