In a significant development in the ongoing legal tussle over the Kano emirate, a team of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), including Abdul Mohammed, has withdrawn their legal representation for the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.
Mohammed informed the Kano State High Court on Thursday of his decision, citing dissatisfaction with the court’s refusal to stay proceedings despite a pending motion of appeal. He had presented an affidavit of fact dated July 3, alongside a notice of appeal and a motion to stay proceedings. However, the court declined his request for adjournment to respond to these applications.
Following the court’s ruling, Mohammed announced his withdrawal from the case, and his colleague, SAN Sanusi Musa, followed suit, leading the entire legal team to stage a walkout. “My Lord, myself, and other counsel representing the first respondent apply for the withdrawal of our legal services and appearances,” Musa declared.
The legal dispute revolves around the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024, with multiple motions and applications before the court. Counsel for the third, fourth, and fifth respondents, Hassan Tanko-Kyaure, argued for an extension of time and sought to dismiss the applicants’ motion, suggesting that due process was not followed in the enactment of the repeal law.
Counsel for the Inspector-General of Police, Sunday Ekwe, opted not to present any argument, leaving it to the court’s discretion.
On the other hand, counsel for the applicant, Eyitayo Fatogun, urged the court to disregard the respondent’s affidavit of facts, labeling it a tactic to delay proceedings. He emphasized that the affidavit referred to a proposed notice of appeal, not an actual one, thus lacking grounds to justify a stay of proceedings.
Judge Amina Adamu-Aliyu refused the application for a stay, stating that the respondents had not provided sufficient grounds for it. She scheduled the next hearing for July 18 to rule on an application for an extension of time and a notice of preliminary objection, among other pending motions. The judge also barred all lawyers from granting media interviews until the substantive case is resolved.
The dispute traces back to a motion filed ex parte by the Attorney General of Kano State, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, and the Kano State House of Assembly, seeking to restrain Ado-Bayero and other dethroned emirs from parading themselves as emirs.
