A Kano High Court Friday restrained the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammadu Sanusi II from either demolition or tampering with any structure in the Kano Emir’s palace pending the hearing of motion on notice.
Sanusi was dragged before the court by his Uncle, Alhaji Salim Abubakar Bayero over his alleged plan to demolish some historical structures in the palace to build offices for district heads.
Other parties in the case are the Kano Emirate Council and the Attorney General of Kano state.
A court order made available to Reporters, the Presiding Judge, Justice A.T. Badamasi also restrained the Emir and the Emirate Council from giving quit niotice or evicting any person residing inside palace known as Gidan Rumfa until the determination of the substantive application.
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 happen in the history of Kano where district heads have their offices within the palace.
The order restrained ‘the first and Second Dependents/Respondents from giving quit notice or evicting any person resident in the Emir’s palace by virtue of being or Bayin Sarki pending the determination of the substantive application’’.
Justice Badamasi further directed the parties involved to maintain the status quo pending the determination of the substantive suit.
However, briefing newsmen on the development, Counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Sanusi Sadiq alleged the emir and the Emirate council were seeking to destroy the grave yard which housed the tomb of 13 former Kano Emirs.
Sadiq said the plan to demolish the structures in the palace was capable of killing the ancient tradition Kano Emirate council was known for
In the meantime, the matter was adjourned to November 12, for hearing of the motion on notice
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