Odinkalu Calls Out “Magic” Rulings By Federal High Court Judge In Kano Chieftaincy Dispute

Chidi Odinkalu, a prominent Nigerian human rights activist, has strongly criticized the decision of a Federal High Court judge in Kano, Justice Abdullahi Liman, to intervene in the ongoing royal tussle in the state.

Odinkalu said the Federal High Court has assumed jurisdiction over a Chieftaincy matter in Kano State, which he described as unconstitutional. He stated that the corruption is “evident on the face of the order.”

In a tweet posted on May 23, 2024, Odinkalu revealed that the same judge, Abdullahi Liman, had previously taken only 8 days from the filing to the judgment to nullify the election of Labour Party candidates in Abia State, even after the winners had already been declared. He accused the judge of not relying on law or evidence, but rather using “magic” to reach his decisions.

Another corrupt judge of the @FederalHigh has assumed jurisdiction over a Chieftaincy matter in Kano State. The corruption is evident on the face of the order. Period! pic.twitter.com/TdQcQGjLBF

— Chidi Odinkalu, CGoF (@ChidiOdinkalu) May 23, 2024

The human rights activist’s criticism comes in response to the order issued by Justice Liman, which temporarily stopped the Kano State Government from reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano. The order was granted in response to a suit filed by Sarkin Dawaki Babba and Aminu Babba-Dan’Agundi, seeking to prevent Sanusi’s reinstatement.

Odinkalu’s scathing remarks highlight the growing concerns over the integrity of the judiciary and the perceived interference of the federal government in the affairs of Kano State, which has been embroiled in a royal tussle between the 15th Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, and the 16th Emir, Muhammadu Sanusi II.

However, TheNigeriaLawyer raises concerns about the timeline of events surrounding the court order. The ex parte application was filed on the 23rd, assigned on the 23rd, heard and moved on the 23rd, granted on the 23rd, applied for CTC on the 23rd, and the CTC was obtained on the 23rd. The rapid succession of these events within a single day has raised questions about due process and the potential for irregularities in the handling of the case, Recall that the controversial judge, Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, has been recommended by the NJC for elevation to the Court of Appeal.

TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that the New Nigerian Peoples Party (NNPP) controlled House of Assembly had repealed Kano Emirates Council law which ex-Governor Abdullahi Ganduje used to dethrone Sanusi.

Yusuf had assented to the law on Thursday and ordered the Emirs affected by it to vacate palaces within 48 hours.

While four of the Emirs complied, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero returned to Kano and moved into the palace at Nassarawa.

Irked by the development, Yusuf ordered his arrest but the police said they would comply with the order which reinstated the Kano State government from reinstating Sanusi.

Addressing a press briefing at the headquarters of the Kano Police Command, on Saturday morning, Commissioner of Police, Usaini Mohammed Gumel, said, “The Police Command is expressly obeying the Court Order with SUIT No. FHC/KN/CS/182/2024 Dated 23rd May, 2024 issued by the Federal High Court sitting in Kano alongside ail Law Enforcement agents in the State.

“Therefore, we are calling on members of the public to know that the Police in the State is working together with the military and other security agencies and are with full capacity for providing the adequate security to everyone as we are committed to carrying out our statutory duties as provided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“Therefore, as the Police Command is leading other security agencies to sustain the peace and peaceful coexistence for overriding interests, miscreants should stay clear of violence in all its ramifications and should not take advantage or hijack the current situation to launch unprovoked attack on people, property and infrastructure of the State. Any person found with such a tendency will be ruthlessly dealt with according to the law of the land.”