•NBA seeks punitive action against lawyers, judges involved
From Godwin Tsa, Okwe Obi and Fred Ezeh, Abuja
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, has summoned the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho and the Chief Judge of Kano State High Court, Justice Dije Aboki to appear before him over conflicting interim injunctions regarding the Kano Emirate tussle.
In the wake of the prevailing tussle over the emirate stool, Justice Simone Amobeda of the Kano division of the Federal High Court 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.
This was shortly after Justice Amina Adamu of a High Court of Kano State had 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.
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.
In a bid to address the judicial aberration, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Ariwoola who doubles as the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), has summoned the two principal judicial officers for a meeting in his chambers today.
There is strong indication that the NJC will conduct an emergency meeting next week where the subject Judges are likely to be invited and subjected to serious investigations.”
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for punitive actions against lawyers and Judges involved in the issuance of conflicting orders in the Kano Emirate legal tussle
The umbrella body of lawyers in the country opined that the actions of lawyers and judges have brought utter disgrace and shame to the profession and have exposed the entire legal profession in Nigeria to public ridicule and opprobrium.
In a statement by its President Yakubu Maikyau in Abuja, the NBA vowed to drag any lawyer found culpable in the matter before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee LPDC for deserved appropriate sanctions.
The NBA boss called on the Chief Judges of the Federal High Court and his counterpart in the High Court of Kano State to identify the judicial officers involved and drag them before the National Judicial Council NJC for disciplinary action.
•APC fueling crisis
The New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of fueling the crisis in Kano State as a result of the emirship tussle between Lamido Sanusi and Ado Bayero.
The party claimed that the APC plans to nudge the Federal Government into declaring a state of emergency and take over the state government, as a result of the crisis.
NNPP National Publicity Secretary, Ladipo Johnson, in a statement yesterday, said the APC leadership was behind what he called “spurious court orders”, especially, Federal High Court, which is exclusively precluded from Chieftaincy matters, in order to let the confusion continue and spiral out of control.
Johnson claimed that the APC was attempting to practice “minority rule” in Kano with the support of federal institutions with the hope that the resultant crisis will lead to the declaration of a state of emergency in the state, hence the resort to “forum Shopping for spurious judgement.
“The curious involvement of the Federal Police, the military and other security apparatus of the Federal government beggars belief even in a civil case.
“Isn’t it an aberration that a judge of the Federal High Court would be directing the military to participate in evicting a person from a property in a civil or chieftaincy matter? This is shameful, no doubt. What is wrong with us in this country? What is wrong with some parts of our Judiciary?”, he asked.
According to him, the alert was to notify Nigerians of the plot by the APC to achieve a “dubious goal,” adding that the Supreme Court stopped them from achieving it through the courts, when after “losing woefully to NNPP in the last Governorship election in Kano, they (APC members in Kano), attempted to snatch the State through the back door.
“And since then, APC has threatened to make the State ungovernable for Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf.”
He also labelled the leadership of the APC and the Federal Government as the “proverbial ostriches” with heads buried in the sand in their “unholy bid” to wrest Kano State from the NNPP through the back door.
“The NSA and military say they are not involved, so if they are not involved, who instructed the military guys on ground? Shouldn’t they be withdrawing their men rather than letting them be used as tools by unscrupulous politicians?”
He added that it was apt that the crisis occurred “as we mark the first year of this administration, as it shows that the administration has undemocratic tendencies that must be brought to the notice of Nigerians.”
•NSCIA warns
Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) has cautioned Ulama and other Islamic scholars in Kano against making unguarded utterances or delving into the traditional leadership crisis in the state.
The Council, in a statement, on Wednesday, said it has noticed the contradictory statements being made by some Ulama in Kano concerning the traditional leadership crisis in the state which, according to them, might cause more disunity in the state.
The statement signed by Prof. Salisu Shehu, on behalf of the Secretary-General, noted that it was a trying period for the people of Kano, hence it is needless to make unguarded statements that might trigger unrest in the state.
“As a result, we call on Islamic scholars, who are custodians of Islamic learning, values and guidance, to exercise caution and refrain from making statements that can further exacerbate tension and polarise the Ummah.
“Ulama within and outside the state should prayerfully allow the current traditional leadership conflict in Kano to be handled and resolved by the political, judicial and customary authorities.”
The Council, however, called on state’s political, traditional and judicial authorities to resolve the current traditional issue with the fear of Allah, fairness and justice.
It also called on Kano people to sincerely seek the Face of Allah, remain calm and avoid taking laws into their hands, thus praying that Allah grant the people sustainable peace in the State and entire country.