Lawyers Withdraw from Emirship Case in Kano State

By Ayodele Oduntan

In a surprising turn of events, counsel to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, Mr. Abdul Muhammed (SAN), and other counsels, have withdrawn their representation of the Emir in the ongoing Emirship tussle in Kano State.

The withdrawal comes as the court hears a motion seeking to restrain Ado-Bayero and four other dethroned emirs from parading themselves as emirs. The applicants, including the Attorney General of Kano State and the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, argue that the emirs' continued claims to the title are causing unrest in the state.

The respondents, including the Inspector General of Police and the Director of State Security Service, had urged the court to stay proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the motion at the appeal court. However, the court refused to grant the stay, leading to the withdrawal of the counsels' legal services and appearances.

The case has been adjourned until July 18, with the court set to rule on several applications, including an extension of time, notice of preliminary objection, setting aside exparte order, joinder application, and the judge's recusal.

The Emirship tussle has been a contentious issue in Kano State, with the State House of Assembly dissolving all four newly created Emirate councils and the Governor reappointing Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano. The legal battle is expected to continue, with far-reaching implications for the state's political landscape.