Kano Emirship: NLC/TUC Strike Stalls Sanusi II’s Reinstatement Suit

The hearing of the case challenging the reinstatement of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II by the Kano State government has been stalled due to ongoing nationwide strike action by members of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC).

The Federal High Court, where the case was scheduled to be heard on Monday, June 3, was closed for business, according to sources within the court.

Hearing in the case, before Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, was set to resume on Monday, but the workers strike led to the suspension of court activities, both physically and virtually.

LEADERSHIP recalls that the Federal High Court in Kano had issued an ex-parte order preventing Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf from reinstating Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II until the determination of a substantive suit filed against the reinstatement. The court also opposed the abolition of four emirates in the State—Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano—following a bill passed into law by the State House of Assembly penultimate Thursday.

The court’s orders directed all parties to maintain the status quo pending the outcome of the suit filed by Sarkin Dawaki Mai Tuta, Aminu Babba-Dan Agundi. Justice Liman also granted the plaintiff’s permission to serve the originating motion and other court processes on the Inspector General of Police in Abuja.

The defendants in the suit include the Kano State Government, the Kano State House of Assembly, the Speaker of the State House of Assembly, the Kano State Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, and the Department of State Security.

Justice Liman highlighted the importance of maintaining peace and security in the state, issuing an interim injunction restraining the respondents from enforcing, executing, implementing, or operationalising the Kano State Emirate Council Law 2024.

The court, therefore, ordered all parties to maintain the status quo until the hearing of the fundamental rights application, which has been rescheduled due to the ongoing Labour strike.