Aminu Babba Dan’Agundi, a Senior Counsel to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero on Saturday threatened to drag the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, to court for contempt should he continue to parade himself as Emir of Kano.
Dan’Agundi, who is the traditional title holder of Sarkin Dawaki Babba of Kano emirate, made this known while addressing newsmen on the recent order by the Court of Appeal.
The traditional leader, however, called on Sanusi and other parties involved in the matter to respect the court order, saying the ruling by the court of appeal was that all parties should maintain status quo ante bellum before the running legal battle.
He said that with the Court of Appeal’s ruling, it implies that Aminu Ado Bayero and the four others were the Emirs in the state.
According to him, “We have two prayers. First, seeking an order of this Honourable Court granting an Injunction restraining the Appellants and other Respondents by themselves, their agents, privies, servants or personal representatives from enforcing the Judgment of the Court of Appeal in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024, Kano State House of Assembly and Anor. vs. Alhaji Aminu Babba Mohammad Mustapha, JCA, Hon Justice Abdu Dogo, JCA (“Lower Court”), delivered on the 10th day of January, 2025 pending the hearing and determination of the 1 Respondent/Applicant’s appeal filed on 24th day of Janaury, 2025, before the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
“Second, an order of this Honourable Court granting mandatory injunction for the maintenance of the status quo ante bellum by the parties as well as the Sheriff of the Court of Appeal and the Trial Court as was the position before Justice A. M. Liman (now JCA) in his Judgment on the 13th day of June, 2024 in Suit No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 between Alh. Aminu Babba Dan Agundi vs. Kano State House of Assembly & 7 Ors pending the hearing and determination of the 1 Respondent/Applicant’s appeal against the Judgment of the Court of Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024, Kano State House of Assembly and Anor. vs. Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi & Ors Coram: Hon. Justice Mohammad Mustapha, JCA, Hon. Justice Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole, JCA and Hon. Justice Abdu Dogo, JCA (“Lower Court”). And the court granted the orders and these are the rulings.
“Upon the Court being satisfied that the applicant has a valid and arguable appeal before the Supreme Court against the decision of this Court dated 10/1/2025,
“And upon the Court being satisfied also that the applicant has a legal right that is deserving to be protected pending the outcome of his appeal at the Supreme Court against the decision of this Court dated 10/1/2025 and that the balance of convenience is on his side,
“And the Court having considered that it is in the overall interest of justice to grant the application and having delivered its unanimous Ruling in the open Court, its reasoning and conclusions are as contained in the body of the Ruling.
“It is hereby ordered as follows: An Injunction is hereby granted restraining the Respondents herein named either themselves, their agents, privies, servants, or personal representatives from enforcing the judgment of this Court in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024 KANO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AND VS ALHAJI AMINU BABBA DAN AGUNDI & OTHERS delivered on the 10/1/2025 pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s appeal filed on 24/1/2025 before the Supreme Court of Nigeria. So this is the first prayer and this is what they are talking about and even advising the Governor. An order to stay that judgment.
“But the most important order is the second order. And they are not even talking about it. The second order is a mandatory injunction that was granted which is ordered that parties shall maintain the status quo ante bellum as well as the Sheriff of this Court and the trial Court as was the position before the trial Court in its judgment delivered on 13/6/2024 in Sult No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 Between ALHAJI AMINU BABBA DAN AGUNDI V KANO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY & 7 OTHERS pending the hearing and determination of the applicant’s appeal against the Judgment of this Court in Appeal No. CA/KN/126/2024 KANO STATE HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY AND ANOR VS ALHAJI AMINU BABBA DAN AGUNDI & OTHERS delivered on the 10/1/2025.
“What these means is we should maintain status quo ante before I went to court to challenge the repeal of the Kano Emirate law which the state government did and used to remove all the Emir. And what is the position? The position is that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero is the Emir of Kano and all other Emirs.
“So if for any other reason, Sanusi parades himself as an Emir of Kano, that will amount to contempt of the court because of this ruling. Respect the rule of law. And if for any other reason, he (Sanusi) decided to do otherwise, I will take him to court and charge him for contempt.
“We have been granted this order and it must be followed. Unless and until a higher court, Supreme Court set aside this order. Everybody must abide by this order.
“I am appealing to all the security agencies who are responsible for maintaining peace in the state to make sure that the rule of law is followed,” Dan’Agundi stated.