Drama as court orders Kano Govt to pay N10m to dethroned Emir Bayero

A Federal High Court in Kano has mandated the Kano State Government to pay N10 million in damages to deposed Emir Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero for violating his fundamental rights.

In its ruling, the court assumed jurisdiction over Bayero’s rights violation suit and ordered the Kano State Government to ensure the deposed emir’s right to movement and personal liberty.

Presiding over the case, Justice Simon Amobeda of Federal High Court 3 emphasized the necessity of establishing the court’s jurisdiction before addressing the core issues. He noted that any proceeding without proper jurisdiction is void.

Justice Amobeda asserted that the court had the authority to hear the case, stating it involved an abuse of Bayero’s fundamental human rights, a matter within the Federal High Court’s purview. Bayero sought N5 billion in damages from the Kano State Government for the violation of his rights, and he also requested the enforcement of his rights to movement and personal liberty.

“It is the court’s duty to protect the rights of every citizen, but such protection requires substantial evidence of rights violations, which the applicant has successfully provided,” Justice Amobeda stated.

He recounted the events of 2019 when the Kano State government used the Kingmakers to select a new Emir. On May 23, 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf used social media to announce Bayero’s deposition and instructed the police to arrest him, giving him 48 hours to vacate the palace.

“Without lawful justification, the applicant was threatened, breaching his fundamental rights to liberty as guaranteed under Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution. The government’s action of placing the applicant under house arrest and preventing him from conducting his lawful business constitutes a flagrant violation of his right to freedom of movement under Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution,” Justice Amobeda added.