…Directs Ganduje to tender public apology to former CBN Gov, pay him N10m damages
A Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, declared that the banishment of deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, from Kano State by Governor Mohammed Ganduje was illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.
In her landmark judgment, Justice Anwuli Chikere also held that the Emirate Council Law, 2019, used by Kano State government in banishing Sanusi was in sharp conflict with the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
The judge further directed Governor Ganduje to tender public apology to former CBN Governor in two national newspapers and pay him N10million damages.
Justice Chikere also held that the Nigerian constitution is supreme, insisting that any law that is inconsistent with it shall be null and void.
The judge further held that Sanusi had the right to live anywhere, including Kano State, as enshrined in the country’s constitution.
Theideal recalls that Sanusi was dethroned on March 9, 2020 while the latter sued the Inspector-General of Police and Director-General, Department of State Security (DSS) on March 12, 2020, challenging the propriety of his unlawful detention and confinement.
Sanusi had also in suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/357/2020 named the Attorney-General of Kano State and the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) as 3rd and 4th co-respondents respectively.
Though Sanusi was not challenging his removal, he sought an interim order of the court to release him from the detention and/or confinement of the respondents and restoring his right to human dignity and personal liberty.
Sanusi also challenged the legality of the respondents to harass and violate his rights.
Justice Chikere, who struck out the name of the AGF from the suit, also restrained the 1st, 2nd and 3rd respondents from further harassing Sanusi.
Governor Ganduje had deposed Sanusi as Emir of Kano after the latter was accused of disloyalty and insubordination.
Though the deposed Emir was initially banished to Loko village in Nasarawa State after his dethronement, he was forcefully moved to Awe town, where he was confined until March 13, 2020, when the court directed that he should be granted his freedom.
