Amidst the ongoing dispute over the Kano emirate throne, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has extended an invitation to Muhammadu Sanusi II, acknowledging him as the legitimate 16th Emir of Kano. This recognition by the NBA adds weight to Sanusi’s claim, aligning with the views of various district heads, council chairmen, commissioners, and residents of Kano, as well as many Nigerians who consider him the rightful occupant of the throne.
The NBA’s endorsement came during their Annual Conference, held at the Amani Event Centre in Kano. The event, attended by prominent figures such as the President of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Benedict Bakwaph Kanyip, NBA President Yakubu Maikyau, SAN, Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Aboki, and other legal luminaries, marks the first NBA annual conference for the entire northern region.
The NBA officially invited Emir Sanusi to attend the conference, deliver his royal blessings, and address the participants. Notably, the NBA did not extend an invitation to Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th emir, recognizing that he was dethroned under the new Kano chieftaincy (repealed) law of 2024.
The legal battle over the emirate was scheduled to be heard at the federal high court but was delayed due to the strike action by organized Labour unions. Represented by Mahe Bashir Wali (the Walin Kano), Emir Sanusi welcomed the conference participants and highlighted Kano’s rich cultural and commercial history. He emphasized the importance of the conference’s theme, ‘Administration of Justice in Nigeria: Challenges and Reforms,’ stressing that justice is crucial for peace and societal progress.
State Governor, Engr. Abba Kabir Yusuf, seized the opportunity to address the legal community about the conflicting court orders regarding the Kano emirate dispute, which he argued is a state matter. Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Abdullahi Bappa Bichi, the Governor urged legal practitioners to uphold the rule of law and engage in comprehensive judicial reforms.
Barrister O.M Femi, speaking to journalists about the emirate tussle, emphasized that the NBA’s actions demonstrate clear support for Emir Sanusi. He noted, “You don’t need to be told or wear binoculars to see that His Royal Majesty Muhammadu Sanusi II is the current Emir of Kano. The recognition accorded him by the legal practitioners of our land tells it all.”
As the dispute continues, the NBA’s recognition of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano represents a significant stance in the ongoing tussle, signaling broad support from Nigeria’s legal community. The resolution of the case remains pending, with the legal fraternity and the public eagerly awaiting the court’s decision to provide clarity and hopefully settle the matter definitively.