Court Declares Banishment Of Former Emir Of Kano Unlawful And Constitutional

The federal high court in Abuja has declared illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional the banishment of the now deposed emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi.

The presiding judge, Justice Anwuli Chikere held that the restrictions placed on Sanusi after his deposition on March 9, 2020, on allegations of insubordination are a clear arbitrary violation of his right to freedom of movement and personal liberty granted by the Nigerian constitution.

He also held that Kano state law was in conflict with the constitution to have held the deposed Emir against his will without a valid court order. The court also said that the movement of the applicant (Sanusi) from Kano to Abuja and Awa against his will was contrary to the constitution.

Sanusi Lamido Sanusi 14th Emir of Kano
photo credit: @sanusilamidoofficial

The judge further held that the right to freedom of liberty and personal dignity granted under Section 34 of Nigeria’s constitution cannot be taken away as done by the Kano Government, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) except with express order of the court.

A sum of N10 million was then awarded to the former Emir as damages to be paid to him by the respondents as well as an order directing the respondents to tender a public apology to Sanusi to be published in two major national dailies for the embarrassment caused by him by breaching his fundamental human rights.

Dolupo Balogun

Written by BoomRadioNG