By Suleiman Anyalewechi
In the eyes of the law, the recently deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero remains the Emir of Kano.
That is the position of Security Agencies in Kano which leaderships have warned that they are obeying, and will obey, to the last letter, the ruling of the Federal High Court Kano, which stopped the return of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, the deposed 14th Emir of Kano, as the 16th Emir.
Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, had on Thursday, based on a decision by the Kano State House of Assembly which repealed the law which balkanised the ancient Kano Emirate into five, and appointed five Emirs, all in the First Class Category. Sanusi, who was the Emir of Kano at the time, was later deposed and Ado Bayero installed in his place by the then Governor Abdullahi Ganduje Administration.
But on Thursday, that was scrapped by the Assembly, endorsed by the Governor, who subsequently reappointed and reinstalled Sanusi as Emir.
However hours after that, a Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by the Honourable Justice Liman, granted an exparte motion brought before it, which restrained Sanusi from returning to office. The Court ordered that the status quo be maintained pending June 3 when the suit will be heard.
But Governor Yusuf disobeyed the order and installed Sanusi as the 16th Emir, alleging that Liman granted the order from outside the shores of Nigeria. He threatened to report the Judge to the NJC for disciplinary action.
Saturday morning, the Governor went a step further by ordering the arrest of Ado Bayero for, allegedly, threatening the peace of the State by returning to Kano and taking residence in one of the Palaces.
But Bayero seems to be sure-footed and enjoying the support of Security Agencies which insist on obeying the Court order.
On Saturday, the State Police Commissioner in a Joint Security Press Briefing on behalf of his colleagues in sister Agencies, including the Military and DSS, made it clear that they are sticking to the Court order, and would deal with anybody, no matter how high, threatening the peace of the State.
The bottomline is that for now, they have not recognised Sanusi as the Emir unless a competent Court says so.
Following, the full text of the Joint Press Statement.
“JOINT SECURITY PRESS BRIEFING BY THE KANO STATE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, CP MOHAMMED USAINI GUMEL, FIPMA, pse ON THE RESOLVE BY ALL SECURITY AGENCIES TO KEEP THE PEACE AND PROVIDE ADEQUATE SECURTY TO ALL LAW ABIDING PEOPLE IN VIEW OF THE TENSE SECURITY DEVELOPMENTS SURROUNDING THE CHIEFTAINCY MATTERS OF THE STATE.
“Held on 25th May, 2024 at Bompai Police Command Headquarters Kano.
“Ladies and Gentlemen of the Press;
“You are all welcome to Bompai. the Headquarters of Kano State Police Command. We are gathered here to intimate you on the security situation, and in particular the developments surrounding the Chieftaincy Affairs of the State,
“2. The Police Command is expressly obeying the Court Order with SUIT No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 Dated 23rd May, 2024 issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Kano alongside ail Law Enforcement agents in the State.
“3. Therefore, we are calling on members of the public to know that the Police in the State is working together with the military and other security agencies and are with full capacity for providing the adequate security to everyone as we are committed to carrying out our statutory duties as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria
“4. No doubt, the law abiding people of Kano State are known for a revered cultural heritage and respect for constituted authorities and in this regard, advised to remain calm, patient, and to keep cooperating with security agencies as the matter described will be addressed by the Court on the 3rd of June 2024.
“5. Let me also remind you that the position of the law is very clear as whoever, under whatever guise is found to be planning to disrupt the peace being enjoyed in the State or feel that he she can jeopardize the existing security settings in the State will be arrested and made to face full wrath of the law. Therefore, as the Police Command is leading other security agencies to sustain the peace and peaceful coexistence for overriding interests, miscreants should stay clear of violence in all its ramifications and should not take advantage or hijack the current situation to launch unprovoked attack on people, property and infrastructure of the State. Any person found with such tendency will be ruthlessly dealt with according to the law of the land
“6. By and large, the combined security agencies in the State have set out all machinery in place to ensure no breakdown of law and order as the satety and security of all the inhabitants in the State remain sacrosanct.
“7. On this note, it is on behalf of all the security agencies, I thank all the good people of the State for their understanding, prayers, continuous support and cooperation.
“8. In case of emergencies, the Command can be contacted via. 08032419754, 08123821575, 09029292926, 08076091271, or login to the “NPF Rescue Me” Application available on the Play Store
“9. Thank you and God bless”
Unconfirmed sources say Ado Bayero is in one of the Palaces in Kano heavily protected by the Security Operatives. Meaning: The order for the arrest of Bayero, given by the Governor, will be completely ignored.
