The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has summoned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and the Chief Judge of Kano State High Court over conflicting interim injunctions on the Kano Emirate tussle.
The Federal High Court in Kano, presided over by Justice S. A. Amobeda had issued an order for the eviction of Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II from the Kofar Kudu Palace, 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,” stated Justice Amobeda.
“This order ensures that Emir Aminu Bayero enjoys all rights and privileges accrued to him by virtue of his position,” he added.
READ ALSO: Courts give conflicting orders on Kano emirate tussle
On the other hand, the Kano State High Court, under the jurisdiction of Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu, issued an injunction to protect Muhammadu Sunusi and other key figures from potential harassment by state authorities. This order prevents any interference with the Emir’s autonomy and the seizure of key symbols of his authority, such as the twin spear, the Royal Hat of Dabo, and the Ostrich-feathered shoes.
Justice Aliyu emphasized “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,” she further added
These conflicting orders have led to significant confusion regarding the rightful authority and protection of the emirs in Kano. The State High Court’s case is set for further hearing on June 13, while the Federal High Court has adjourned its case to June 4.
Meanwhile the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, has stated that the “conducts of counsel and the Courts in the handling of the proceedings which culminated in the orders issued by the Federal High Court, the Kano State High Court, and again the Federal High Court, in circus, have brought utter disgrace and shame to the profession.
A statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, NBA, Akorede Lawal on Wednesday, said the actions of the courts have exposed the entire legal profession in Nigeria to public ridicule and opprobrium.
“The damage would take the legal profession a long time to recover from. It is unfortunate and was uncalled for.
“Without prejudice to the subsisting actions before both the Federal High Court and the Kano State High Court, it is my considered view that there is an urgent need to scrutinize the professional conducts of both Counsel and the Judges involved in these matters. This is to enable the relevant bodies or institutions to determine their culpability or, otherwise, from an ethical and professional standpoint,” Maikyau said.
The NBA president called on “the respective heads of the Courts of the Judges concerned, to take immediate steps to look into their conducts with the view to finding any possible abuse of their judicial offices, and file a report with the National Judicial Council for necessary action.
As regards the lawyers involved, the President said that the NBA “… will investigate the conducts of the counsel involved in these cases and shall not hesitate to commence disciplinary action against them before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, should there be any finding of alleged professional misconduct against them. The Chairman of the NBA Ethics and Disciplinary Committee has accordingly been directed to invite these counsel for preliminary investigations.”
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