By Abiola Olawale
The Kano State Commissioner of Police, Mr Usaini Gumel, has revealed that the state command is in a dilemma over the court order to obey in the ongoing royal battle.
The CP, during a meeting with the heads of media organisations in Kano, said the conflicting orders issued by the courts have created a complex situation for the Police Command.
However, he revealed that he had sent a copy of each court order to his principal, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who had contacted the (Attorney-General of the Federation and) Minister of Justice, Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), for clarification and interpretation.
According to him, upon the IGP’s response, they would proceed with the implementation of the decision that was made.
He said: “I have forwarded the five court orders related to the emirship tussle to the Inspector General of Police, who has subsequently contacted the Minister of Justice for clarification and interpretation.
“We are currently awaiting guidance on which order to comply with, as the conflicting court directives have created a complex situation.
“Once we receive the necessary interpretation, we will take appropriate action to resolve the emirship dispute by the law.”
Gumel also lamented a radio station’s unprofessional reporting on the issue, urging the media to verify facts and balance their reports before disseminating them to the public.
He encouraged the media to seek clarifications from the police before publishing reports, to ensure accuracy and avoid aggravating the situation.
The New Diplomat reports that Kano has been thrown into a state confusion, anxiety and panic after Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf signed the Kano State Emirate Council Law 2024.
The newly- signed law dissolved four new Emirates in the state and restored Kano Emirate to its pre-2019 status on Thursday, May 23.
Yusuf also issued a reappointment letter to Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II on Friday, May 24, as the new Emir of Kano, and ordered the Emirs affected by the new law to vacate their palaces within 48 hours.
It would be recalled also that Judges of the Federal High Court and Kano State High Court have given conflicting injunctions on the emirate tussle.
The New Diplomat reports that the Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice S. A. Amobeda, issued an order for the eviction of the reinstated Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, from the Kofar Kudu Palace, while seemingly reinforcing the authority of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero.
“An order of interim injunction, restraining the respondents from inviting, arresting, detaining, threatening, intimidating, harassing the Applicant, or infringing on his rights is hereby granted,” Justice Amobeda ruled.
In another development a Kano State High Court, presided over by Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, issued an injunction, barring the Police, DSS, and soldiers from evicting Sanusi.
Justice Aliyu emphasised that, “An order of interim injunction is granted, restraining the Respondents from harassing or intimidating the Applicants or confiscating any symbols of the Emir’s authority.”
“The Respondents are ordered to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.”
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has waded into the Kano Emirate tussle, by issuing a summon to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the Chief Judge of Kano State High Court, to appear before him over conflicting interim injunctions regarding the Emirate crisis.
