Banishment of Kano’s ex-Emir Sanusi is unlawful, unconstitutional- Court

Deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, gets vindicated as the Federal High Court in Abuja declares his banishment to Awe, Nasarawa State as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional.

Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court held that the restrictions placed on Sanusi after his deposition on March 9, 2020, on allegations of insubordination are a clear arbitrary violation of his right to freedom of movement and personal liberty granted by the Nigerian constitution.

Titled Muhammadu Sanusi II, Sanusi succeeded his great-uncle Ado Bayero to the throne on the 8th of  June, 2014. He spent most of his reign advocating for cultural reform in Northern Nigeria, until the state government dethroned him in 2020.

Justice Chikere held that Kano state law was in conflict with the constitution to have held the deposed Emir against his will without a valid court orders. The court also said that the movement of the applicant (Sanusi) from Kano to Abuja and Awa against his will was contrary to the constitution.

The judge further held that the right to freedom of liberty and personal dignity granted under Section 34 of Nigeria’s constitution cannot be taken away as done by the Kano Government, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) except with express order of the court.

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The judge specifically said that the movement of the applicant without valid court was clearly a violation of his rights, unconstitutional and a breach of his personal liberty.

The judge subsequently voided the arrest, harassment, and banishment of Sanusi to Abuja and later to Nasarawa State and set it aside on the ground of being an infringement of his fundamental human rights.

A sum of 10 million naira was awarded to the former Emir as damages to be paid to him by the respondents.

The court also issued an order directing the respondents to tender a public apology to Sanusi to be published in two major national dailies for the embarrassment caused him by breaching his fundamental human rights.

Sanusi served as the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria from 2009 to 2014, ushering in banking reforms until his suspension after he brought to light the $20 billion oil scandal.