Court stops Emir Bayero’s renovations of Nassarawa mini palace

The Kano State High Court, led by Chief Judge Justice Dije Aboki, has issued an order prohibiting the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, from continuing renovations at the Nassarawa mini palace.

The injunction was granted following an exparte motion filed by the plaintiffs, which include the Kano State government, the Attorney General of Kano State, and the Kano State Emirate Council. The plaintiffs were represented by Rilwanu Umar Esq. and three additional legal counsels.

Justice Aboki’s order mandates all parties to maintain the current state of the palace’s structural and architectural design until the motion on notice is reviewed and resolved.

Earlier reports had indicated that Emir Bayero initiated renovations at the mini palace, presenting a prototype of the planned changes. This action came after Governor Abba Yusuf’s dethronement of Emir Bayero while he was outside the state, leading to the reinstatement of the 16th Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II, who subsequently occupied the Kofar-Kudu palace.

Upon his return, Bayero was moved to the Nassarawa mini palace, where he has continued official activities despite the ongoing legal dispute over the renovations.

The court order reads: “An interim injunction is issued restraining the Defendant, his agents, or anyone acting on his behalf from further demolishing, renovating, repairing, reconstructing, or refurbishing the property known as Gidan Sarki Nassarawa, located along State Road, Kano, pending the hearing and determination of the Motion on Notice before this court.

“All parties involved are directed to maintain the status quo regarding the structural and architectural design of the property until the Motion on Notice is resolved.

“Plaintiffs/Applicants are to serve the Originating Process, Motion on Notice, and other subsequent documents on the Defendant via substituted means, such as posting or leaving the documents at the front of the property Gidan Sarki Nassarawa or providing them to any adult aide of the Defendant at the property.

“The case is adjourned to October 2, 2024, for the hearing of the motion on notice.”