Emir Muhammed Sanusi

Emir Muhammed Sanusi of Kano has been stopped by a state high court from demolishing any historical structure within the palace.

The order by Justice A.T. Badamasi was sequel to a prayer by Sanusi’s uncle, Alhaji Salim Abubakar Bayero, asking the court to stop Sanusi’s plan pending the determination of the substantive application filed before it by the emir’s uncle.

According to Bayero, Sanusi wants to demolish the structures to build offices for district heads.

Other parties in the case are the Kano Emirate Council and the Attorney General of Kano state.

A copy of the restraining order dated 30th October, 2015 was signed by the Kano state Director of Litigation.

The order reads in parts; “That an order for interim injunction is hereby made restraining Emir Muhammadu Sanusi ll and Kano Emirate Council, the 1st and 2nd defendants in the case from demolishing and or tampering with any structure in the Kano emir’s palace (Gidan Rumfa) by virtue of being ‘Yan Fulani or Bayin Sarki pending the determination of the substantive application.”

According to the statement of claim with suit number K/386/2015, the plaintiff is a grandson of the 10th emir of Kano, late Sarki Abdullahi Bayero.

The plaintiff claimed that the emir was bent on demolishing and destroying some structures at Ka’iya and Kachako sections as well as the graveyard of some past emirs of Kano located within the palace.

He told the court that the purpose for the demolition was to build offices for district heads, arguing that such action has never happened in the history of Kano where district heads have their offices within the palace.

Abubakar further informed the court that quit notices had already been issued to some occupants of the marked sections by the emir.

Heraing in the case has been slated for November 12.