Headlines
Appeal Court sets aside order nullifying Sanusi’s appointment as Emir of Kano
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Court of Appeal in Kano has set aside the June 20 order by Justice Abubakar Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, nullifying the steps/actions taken by the Kano State Government pursuant to the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024, including the appointment of Sanusi Lamido Sanusi as the 16th Emir of Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that a three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, Kano, which sat in Abuja, held that the order nullifying the steps taken by the Kano State Government pursuant to the 2024 Emirates Council Law was made by Justice Liman without jurisdiction.
The appellate court found that the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by an aggrieved king maker – Alhaji Aminu Babba Dan Agundi – on which basis Justice Liman issued the June 20 order, was not only invalid, the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction to hear it
The judgment was on an appeal by the Kano State House of Assembly and it’s Speaker marked: CA/KN/140/2024 against Agundi and others.
The appeal was against the the June 20 ruling by Justice Liman, nullifying every step taken by the state government and other respondents pursuant to the new law.
The Kano State House of Assembly enacted the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Law 2024 on May 23 last year, which the state governor assented to on the same date. The law repealed the Kano State Emirates Council Law (2019).
Pursuant to the new law, the Kano State Government among others, sacked Aminu Ado Bayero as Kano Emir, reinstated Sanusi as Emir and reversed the creation of five new Emirates by the preceding administration of Umar Ganduje.
Aggrieved by the law, Agundi filed his fundamental rights enforcement suit on th same May 23, 2024, following which Justice Liman issued an order, directing parties to maintain status quo pending the determination of the suit ante the passage of the new Emirates Council law.
In his June 20 ruling, Justice Liman voided all the steps taken by the Kano State Government pursuant to the 2024 Emirate Council Law on the grounds that they were taken in violation of his earlier order made on May 23, 2024 directing parties, in Agundi’s fundamental rights suit, to maintain status quo ante.
In the lead judgment of the Court of Appeal, Justice Gabriel Kolawole, held the foundation upon which Justice Liman based
the June 20 annulment order was based on the wrong assumption that the Federal High Court has jurisdiction to hear the substantive suit, which it actually did not have.
Justice Kolawole noted that matters concerning the validity of state laws and the regulation of traditional/chieftaincy institutions, which Agundi’s case was all about, do not fall within the exclusive jurisdiction of the Federal High Court, rather they fall squarely within the jurisdiction of state High Court.
He added: “Having held that the Federal High Court lacked the jurisdiction, it necessary follows that any order made by the trial court including the annulment of the steps and actions taken by the appellants and others on grounds of disobedience of the order of the lower court has become null and void.
“A court that lacks the jurisdiction to entertain a substantive matter also lacks the competence to make any order or grant any relief in respect of that matter.
“The annulment order made by the trial court, which is the subject of this appeal, is not sustainable because the said order was made by a court that lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the substantive suit.
“In view of the above, the order made by the Federal High Court, Kano judicial division by Justice A. M. Liman (now JCA) in suit number: FHC/KN/182/2024, which order was handed down on the 20th of June 2024 nullifying all step’s and actions taken by the appellants and others in pursuant of the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024 is hereby nullified and accordingly, set aside,” Justice Kolawole said.
Justices Mohammed Mustapha and Abdu Dogo, who were also on the panel agreed with Justice Kolawole’s findings and some orders made, but disagreed with him on his order that the suit by Agundi, marked: FHC/KN/182/2024 be remitted back to the Chief Judge of the HIgh Court of Kano State to be heard on its merit.
Justices Mustapha and Dogo were of the view that remitting the case to the High Court of Kano for hearing was a waste of judicial time because the case itself was not initiated by due process of law in that it did not relates to any fundamental rights guaranteed under Chapter 4 of the Constitution or the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
In an earlier judgment, Justice Kolawole faulted the June 13 ruling by Justice Liman in which he (Liman) held that his court has the jurisdiction to hear the fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Agundi.
The appeal, marked: CA/KN/126/2924 was also filed by the Kano House of Assembly and the Speaker against the June 13, 2024 ruling by Justice Liman, assuming jurisdiction over Agundi’s suit.
Justice Kolawole noted that the reason given by the trial court to assume jurisdiction was fundamentally flawed.
He found that the claims brought before the trial court relate to chieftaincy issue and not the interpretation of the Kano Emirate laws, issues fall within the jurisdictional competence of the High Court of Kano State.
The judge said the Federal High Court could only examine the legitimacy of any law enacted by a State House of Assembly on grounds of constitutional inconsistency, that it is not consistent with the Constitution, which is the grund norm.
Justice Kolawole awarded a cost of N500,000 in favour of the appellants and against Agundi.
Justices Mustapha and Dogo agreed with the lead judgment, but also disagreed with Justice Kolawole’s order that the suit by Agundi, marked: FHC/KN/182/2024 be remitted back to the Chief Judge of the HIgh Court of Kano State to be heard on its merit.
They instead, issued an order striking out the suit.
In the judgment on the appeals by Aminu Ado Bayero, marked: CA/KN/200/2024 and CA/KN/200A/2024, the Court of Appeal found that the High Court of Kano State denied Bayero fair hearing in its hearing and determination of a case filed by the state government to enforce the new law.
In the lead judgment, Justice Mustapha held that the trial court did not only fail to issue hearing notice to the appellant (Bayero) after the withdrawal of his lawyer, it proceeded to strike out the court documents files by the appellant “on the nebulous grounds that they had been abandoned.
He proceeded to hold that the proceedings conducted on July 4, 2024 by Justice Amina Adamu Aliyu of the High Court of Kano State and the judgment delivered of the July 15 are a nullity for having breached the appellant’s right to fair hearing.
Justice Mustapha ordered that the case in respect of which the appeals were filed should be remitted back to the Chief Judge of the High Court of Kano State to be heard by another judge.
Headlines
NAHCON Secures ₦19 Billion Cost Reduction for 2026 Hajj, Pilgrims to Save Over ₦200,000 Each
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The National Hajj Commission of Nigeria (NAHCON) has announced a ₦19 billion cost reduction for the 2026 Hajj, following a successful negotiation with Saudi service providers and Nigeria’s State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards.
Chairman of the Commission, Professor Abdullahi Sale Usman, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Kano on the outcome of his recent official visit to Saudi Arabia. He explained that the deal translates to a direct saving of more than ₦200,000 per pilgrim. Nigeria has been allocated 66,910 Hajj slots for the 2026 pilgrimage.
During the visit, NAHCON signed key service contracts with Mashariq Dhahabiyya for Masha’ir operations and Daleel Al-Ma’aleem for transportation. It also secured better accommodation and feeding arrangements in the Markaziyya area of Madinah at competitive rates.
Professor Sale further announced the official fares for the 2026 Hajj as follows:
Maiduguri/Yola: ₦8.12 million
Other northern states: ₦8.24 million
Southern states: ₦8.56 million
He stressed that State Pilgrims’ Welfare Boards must remit 50 percent of the fares by October 8, 2025, while full payments from intending pilgrims are due by December 31, 2025.
“The deadlines are critical to enable early bookings and smooth operations,” he said, reaffirming NAHCON’s commitment to delivering a hitch-free Hajj exercise in 2026.
The NAHCON boss also appealed to the media for sustained support in sensitizing the public, noting that effective collaboration will ensure that the commission achieves its goals for Nigerians
… As Gov. Yusuf Condemns CP Bakori’s Partisan Conduct
… Demands His Immediate Removal for Sabotage, Unethical Behaviour
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has condemned in the strongest terms the unprofessional and partisan conduct of the Kano State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, describing his actions as deliberate sabotage against the people of Kano and the Nigerian state.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, the governor expressed outrage over the sudden withdrawal of police participation from the 2025 Independence Day celebration in Kano — an order CP Bakori issued just hours before the commencement of the event.
Governor Yusuf said the action was a clear demonstration of bias, insubordination, and betrayal of the Nigeria Police Force’s constitutional duty.
“As the Chief Security Officer of Kano State, we cannot tolerate sabotage to the peace, security, and wellbeing of our citizens. It is disgraceful that a Commissioner of Police would descend so low into partisan politics by boycotting a national event that symbolizes unity, patriotism, and democracy,” Governor Yusuf stated.
The governor accused CP Bakori of consistently aligning with political interests opposed to the will of the people of Kano, thereby eroding public trust in the police command. He described the CP as a “political police officer” who has abandoned professionalism and is actively undermining democracy.
“The police must never be seen as tools of politicians. They are expected to protect all Nigerians, regardless of political leanings. Unfortunately, CP Bakori has turned himself into a willing instrument of division and insecurity in Kano State,” the statement added.
Governor Yusuf therefore led the voices of Kano stakeholders who were present at the 2025 Independence Day Celebration at Sani Abacha Stadium, Kofar Mata, in calling on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to direct the Inspector General of Police to immediately remove CP Bakori from office and replace him with a competent and non-partisan officer who will restore confidence, fairness, and neutrality in policing Kano State.
The stakeholders who joined their voices with that of the Governor included traditional and religious leaders, NNPP members of the state and national assemblies, the business community, youth groups, and labour organizations.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and properties of the people, stressing that no act of sabotage from compromised security officials will succeed in destabilizing Kano under his watch.
He also commended the efforts of other security agencies in the state — with the exception of the police.
Governor Yusuf appreciated the leadership of the state commands of the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Fire Service, and the State Directorate of Security Services, all of whom participated in the 2025 Independence Parade.
Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Dr. Musa Mohammed Bello, State Focal Person for the African Health Budget Network (AHBN), announced significant progress in a Gavi-funded immunization project implemented in collaboration with the African Field Epidemiology Network (AFENET) across Sokoto, Kano, Bauchi, and Borno states since September 2023.
KANO FOCUS reports that the project has recorded notable reductions in the number of zero-dose children those who have not received any vaccines particularly in Kano, where 15 local governments were identified as high-burden areas.
During a recent review meeting focusing on Kano State, stakeholders assessed successes and challenges related to immunization budget allocation, vaccine supply chain disruptions, cold chain management, and access to immunization services by parents and caregivers.
Dr. Bello commended the Kano State government for consistently allocating above 15% of the budget to health surpassing the Abuja Declaration recommendation but pointed out issues with approval and release of funds that hinder smooth project implementation.
He also stressed the need for Kano State to reduce its heavy reliance on donor funding from partners such as WHO, UNICEF, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation by strengthening local counterpart contributions. Isyaku Lawan Dawakin from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
Dr. Bello further highlighted the strengthening of advocacy and government relationships through the 2023-2024 Accountability Scorecard initiative, which has enabled better communication and cooperation with key government committees on health and appropriation. Evidence-based advocacy built on decentralized immunization monitoring assessments by AFENET has helped identify specific challenges at the local government and health facility levels, informing targeted interventions.
He presented recent data from September 2025 showing high reporting rates from primary health care facilities on routine immunization services via SMS across the targeted local governments, reflecting increased monitoring and responsiveness. The project has fostered deeper understanding of the budgetary process among civil society and health stakeholders, contributing to increased awareness and coordinated action to address zero-dose children.
Crucially, Dr. Bello revealed that Kano State has seen a tremendous decrease in zero-dose children—from over 539,000 in 2020 to around 120,000 by December 2024—attributed to collaborative government and partner efforts.
This achievement underscores the positive impact of strengthened immunization systems, accountability frameworks, and partner coordination in improving child health outcomes across the region.
”This initiative forms part of a broader push to improve immunization coverage and accountability in West Africa, aiming to ensure that no child is left unvaccinated and vulnerable to preventable diseases,” he said.
Isyaku Lawan Dawakin Tofa from Kano State Bureau of Statistics emphasized the value of peer learning activities to close knowledge gaps and boost vaccine outreach.
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