The Supreme Court on Monday adjourned the hearing of the long-running Kano Emirate dispute to April 19, 2027, further prolonging the legal battle over the leadership of the traditional institution.
The adjournment came after parties in the case adopted their preliminary arguments during the resumed session. The dispute, which has moved through several courts over the years, focuses on the legality of decisions made by successive Kano State governments concerning the restructuring of the emirate system and the rightful occupant of the Kano throne.
At the centre of the controversy is the deposition of the 14th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, in 2020 and the appointment of Aminu Ado Bayero as his successor. The situation became more complicated after later political developments led to Sanusi’s reinstatement.
The crisis began in 2019 when the Kano State Government under former Governor Abdullahi Ganduje divided the Kano Emirate into five separate entities: Kano, Bichi, Rano, Karaye, and Gaya, a move that generated widespread controversy.
In 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf’s administration repealed the law that created the additional emirates, dissolved them, and reinstated Sanusi. This decision triggered new legal challenges from aggrieved parties, who questioned the legality of both the repeal and the reinstatement.
The case before the Supreme Court was filed by a claimant challenging the actions of the state government and the House of Assembly. Following Monday’s hearing, the court adjourned the matter, leaving the dispute unresolved once again.
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