A Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, will decide on June 13 whether it has jurisdiction in the ongoing legal dispute regarding the Kano Emirate.
The case was brought by Aminu Babba Dan Agundi, Sarkin Dawaki Babba of the Kano Emirate, who is seeking to prevent the implementation of a repealed law.
The defendants include the Kano State Government, the Kano State House of Assembly, its Speaker, the Attorney General of Kano State, the Kano Commissioner of Police, the Inspector General of Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Department of State Services (DSS).
During the latest hearing, the applicant’s lawyer, M.S Waziri, argued that the court has jurisdiction because the case involves fundamental human rights.
He contended that the applicant, as a member of the Kano Emirate Kingmakers, should have been involved in the appointment of the new emir, and that fundamental rights violations have no time limits.
Counsel for the first and fourth respondents, Mahmoud Abubakar Magaji (SAN), countered by arguing that the legislative process was completed before the applicant was served, and only the Kano State House of Assembly has the authority to make laws.
He stated that the applicant had no right to be consulted about the law.
Ibrahim Isah Wangida, representing the second and third respondents, supported Magaji’s arguments, adding that the law under which the applicant claimed his rights was already repealed and replaced before the legal action was filed, thus nullifying his claim as a kingmaker.
Counsel for the fifth and sixth respondents, Sunday Ekwe, noted that their role is simply to maintain peace and enforce court orders, and they did not file any jurisdictional issues.
The court has adjourned the case until June 13 to rule on the jurisdiction matter.