Why I ordered arrest of deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero – Gov Yusuf

Governor Abba Yusuf has provided clarity on the reasoning behind the arrest of deposed Emir of Kano, Aminu Bayero, following a court decision awarding the monarch N10 million in damages.

Through his spokesperson, Sunusi Bature, the Governor stated that Bayero’s arrest was prompted by his return to the palace just two days after his dethronement, which sparked unrest in the state.

Bature’s remarks came in response to an article titled ‘A Rendezvous with Recklessness and Executive Rascality,’ authored by Bala Ibrahim, who accused Governor Yusuf of wielding power recklessly.

The Federal High Court in Kano recently ruled in favor of Bayero, ordering the state government to compensate him for violating his fundamental rights, personal liberty, and freedom of movement.

Quoting sections of the 1999 Constitution, Justice Simon Amobeda, who presided over the case, deemed the Governor’s order for Bayero’s arrest unjustified, resulting in the deposed Emir being effectively under house arrest.

Bala Ibrahim leveraged the court’s decision to criticize the Governor’s alleged abuse of power, including the demolition of buildings and Bayero’s arrest, which both led to compensatory rulings.

In response, Bature questioned Ibrahim’s grasp of governance and emphasized the straightforward nature of the Kano Emirship situation, which involved the repeal of the Kano Emirate Law (2019) and the enactment of the Kano Emirate Law (2024). These legal changes vested Governor Yusuf with the authority to dissolve the five emirates and restore Kano to a single emirate system, aligning with the wishes of Kano state residents.

Bature defended Bayero’s arrest as a necessary measure for public safety, given the security risks posed by his return to Kano shortly after his dethronement. Governor Yusuf’s actions, he asserted, were aimed at preventing the escalation of unrest in the state.

Regarding the demolition of buildings, Governor Yusuf clarified that it targeted structures unlawfully acquired by former Governor Ganduje, his associates, and relatives. This action, he stressed, was part of efforts to reclaim public assets and prevent individuals from exploiting public resources for personal gain.

Bature concluded by reaffirming Governor Yusuf’s commitment to the welfare and development of Kano state, dismissing detractors’ attempts to undermine these objectives for their own agendas.