The Federal High Court in Kano ordered the Kano State Government to pay N10 million in damages to the deposed 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero.
The court also upheld the deposed emir’s rights to freedom of movement and civil liberties.
Presiding Judge Simon Amobeda delivered the judgment, emphasizing the importance of protecting fundamental human rights.
He acknowledged the withdrawal of reliefs Order 1-2 by the applicant’s counsel, stating that the withdrawal was within their legal rights and thus no longer part of the case.
Before addressing the main issues, Justice Amobeda confirmed the court’s jurisdiction to hear the case, underscoring that it involved the abuse of fundamental human rights, a matter over which the court has authority.
“The court has a duty to protect the rights of every citizen,” Judge Amobeda asserted. “However, that protection cannot occur in a vacuum. A person alleging a violation of their fundamental human rights must provide cogent and vital evidence, which the applicant has successfully done.”
The case’s origins trace back to 2019, when the Kano State Government used kingmakers to select a new emir.
However, on May 23, 2024, the government announced via social media that Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero had been deposed, giving him 48 hours to vacate the palace and directing the police to arrest him.
Justice Amobeda ruled that these actions were unjustified and constituted a breach of the emir’s fundamental rights.
“Without any lawful justification, the applicant was threatened, breaching his fundamental rights to liberty as guaranteed in Section 35(1) of the 1999 Constitution,” he stated.
The judge further noted that the house arrest imposed on the deposed emir, which prevented him from conducting his lawful business, was a blatant violation of his right to freedom of movement under Section 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution.
In his judgment, Justice Amobeda ordered that the police, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Army, the Air Force, and the Navy be restrained from arresting, detaining, or harassing the applicant.
He also mandated the Kano State Government to compensate the deposed emir.
“The second respondent and the Government of Kano State should pay the sum of N10 million for breach and likely breach of his fundamental right to personal liberty and freedom of movement as guaranteed in the 1999 Constitution,” the judge concluded.
