Emirship tussle: Bayero’s lawyers withdraw legal services in court

Abddul Muhammed (SAN) and other lawyers of the deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, have withdrawn their legal services before the Kano State High Court in the ongoing Kano Emirship tussle.

The applicants in the matter are the Attorney General of Kano State, the Speaker of the Kano State House of Assembly, and the Kano State House of Assembly, through their counsel Ibrahim Isah-Wangida, filed a motion exparte dated May 27.

The applicants are seeking the court to restrain Bayero and four other dethroned Emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye from parading themselves as Emirs.

The respondents are the Emirs, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), the Director of State Security Service, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and the Nigerian Army.

When the case came up for hearing on Thursday, July 4, 2024,  Muhammed informed the court that he had an affidavit of fact dated July 3, attached with a notice of appeal and a motion of stay of proceedings.

He urged the court to stay of proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the motion at the Appeal Court.

The lawyer also sought an adjournment to enable them to respond, but the court refused to grant his prayers.

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“My lord myself and other counsels representing the first respondent apply for the withdrawal of our legal services and appearances,” Muhammed said.

Counsel for the 3rd, 4th, and 5th respondents, Hassan Tanko-Kyaure, moved his application for extension of time dated July 2 and counter affidavit in response to the originating motion.

He urged the court to set aside the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) law 2024, adding that due process was not followed.

Tanko-Kyaure also urged the court to dismiss the applicant’s application with a cost of N1 billion.

IGP counsel Sunday Ekwe told the court that he had nothing to present, adding that they left everything to the discretion of the court.

Applicant counsel Eyitayo Fatogun urged the court to discount the respondent’s affidavit of facts pursuant to order 39 rules 1 and 2 of the court.

Fatogun urged the court to dismiss the third, fourth and fifth respondents’ application on the issue of Kano Emirate Repeal Law because the issue is not before the Court.

Delivering a ruling, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, refused the application for stay of proceedings filed by the respondent.

‘The respondent did not disclose any special fact to warrant any stay of proceedings,” Justice Adamu-Aliyu said.

The judge, therefore, adjourned the matter until July 18 for ruling on the application for extension of time, notice of preliminary objection, setting aside exparte order, joinder application, and the judge to recuse herself, among others.

The Kano State House of Assembly had, on May 23, dissolved all the four newly created Emirate Councils in the state and Governor Abba Yusuf reappointed the former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, as the Emir of Kano.

The Star