How Sanusi, Family Members Were Harassed– Fmr. NBA President, AB Mahmoud, SAN

* Police threw tear gas canisters in palace

The head of the legal team of the dethroned Emir of Kano, Abubakar Balarabe-Mahmoud, has explained how Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II and his family members were harassed after the deposition of the Emir.

Balarabe-Mahmoud, a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, said while Sanusi was waiting for his deposition letter, there was a commotion in the private wing of the palace as some unauthorised persons tried to gain entry into the family section.

The SAN said, “This led to some scuffle and tear-gas canisters were fired by the security operatives. Normalcy was restored after the unauthorised persons along with armed security operatives retreated from the inner part of the palace.”

He said the former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria later received the letter which indicated that he was to be moved to Nasarawa State.

Balarabe-Mahmoud stated, “We requested to know if he was under arrest and if so we needed to see the warrant. The Commissioner of Police informed us that he was not under arrest. We informed the Commissioner of Police that it was illegal and a violation of his constitutional rights to remove to Nasarawa State against his wish.

“The Emir informed the Commissioner of Police that his friends had sent an aircraft to fly him and his family to Lagos and requested that they should be provided with necessary security to the airport so that he could leave.

“The commissioner refused saying that was not their instruction. They were willing to allow the family to leave for Lagos but he was to be flown to Abuja then onwards taken to Nasarawa State.”

He said when it was clear that the police were bent on using force to achieve their objective, the Emir cooperated with them in order not to jeopardize his safety, that of his family and persons around.

Balarabe-Mahmoud said the Emir was taken in a private aircraft at 6:40pm, while the family subsequently boarded the aircraft arranged by his friends and departed for Lagos about 15 minutes later.