Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has described the recent judicial orders in Kano State as an embarrassment to the judiciary.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/ELLAN.png")
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/yemi.jpg")
Falana stated this in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday.
He said there is the need for higher courts to address the political and judicial confusion in both Kano and Rivers states.
He said, “Sanusi was not said to have disobeyed any order, so if the order affected him, he ought to have been put on notice.”
Falana described the court’s stance as confusing with regard to the broader issue of the Supreme Court’s judgments on the limitations of federal high court powers over traditional institutions.
“To be a Chief is not a fundamental right; it is a privilege,” he added.
Falana said the state high court’s order in favour of Sanusi created further confusion.
“The practice in the past was to allow the court of appeal to clear the confusion, and in this case, an appeal has been filed,” he said.
Falana faulted the federal high court’s involvement in matters of traditional institutions, stressing that only state governments have legislative power over such issues.
“The constitution has made it clear that the National Assembly can only enact laws on matters in the exclusive legislative list; traditional institutions are residual,” he stated.
Speaking on the ongoing legal battle over the extension of local government officials’ tenures in Rivers, Falana referenced Section 7 of the constitution, which mandates democratically elected local government officials.
“In the case of Rivers, there’s already a judgement that the amendment of the law is illegal and unconstitutional,” he said.
Falana expressed concern over the disregard for Supreme Court decisions by political figures, calling for the media to challenge this behaviour.
He warned that the practice of extending tenures without proper elections could lead to chaos.
“Ordinarily, the elections should have been conducted just like governorship elections,” he said.
He also faulted the overreach of federal powers in local governance, advocating for a clearer delegation of responsibilities.
“The federal government is currently over-bloated; there is a need to delegate powers to the federating units,” he said.
Falana called for constitutional reforms to enhance the functionality and recognition of local governments, adding that these issues must be addressed to maintain the rule of law and democratic integrity in Nigeria.
As an added bonus, every purchase comes with a FREE ebook titled: “How to use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion.”
Ohio Books Ltd praises the publication, stating:
"....this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic."
How to Order:
📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878
📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com
🌎 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access it directly online at https://selar.com/prv626
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe Esq., ACiarb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director at the Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
_______________________________________________________________________
“Enhance Legal Practice With Authoritative Reports” — Alexander Payne Offers Comprehensive Law Reports, Spanning Over A Century Of Nigerian Jurisprudence
Interested buyers are encouraged to place their orders and enquiries via:
0704 444 4777, 0704 444 4999, 0818 199 9888
Website: www.alexandernigeria.com
The book, titled The Law of Torts in Nigeria: A Functional Approach, authored by Professor Hagler Sunny Okorie Ph.D and Ikeocha, Nathaniel Ngozi Esq, offers law students, practitioners, and academics a comprehensive guide to understanding and applying tort law in Nigerian courts. Interested buyers can place orders via the following contact numbers: 08028636615, 08037667945, 08032253813, or +234 902 196 2209.
________________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
