A Federal High Court sitting in Kano has reserved judgement in a lawsuit filed by Aminu Ado Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, over alleged violation of his fundamental human rights.
The presiding judge, Justice Simon Amobeda, made the decision after a heated debate between lawyers representing both sides.
Aminu Ado, through his lawyer, filed an ex parte motion seeking a court order to prevent the defendants from arresting or infringing on his rights. The defendants include the Attorney General of the Federation, Kano State Attorney General, the Nigerian Police Force, and various security agencies.
During the hearing, the lawyer for the Kano State government, Mahmoud Abubakar Magaji, presented a preliminary objection arguing that being Emir is a privilege, not a right. He further claimed that Ado Bayero’s application, filed five days after his removal, held no merit as he was no longer Emir at the time of filing.
Magaji urged the court to dismiss the case and argued that Ado Bayero’s claim of not receiving a fair hearing was irrelevant. He also requested the court to set aside a prior restraining order preventing his arrest or harassment.
Ado Bayero’s lawyer, Michael Jonathan Numa, countered these arguments, insisting the court has jurisdiction as the case concerns his client’s fundamental rights. He urged the court to accept the lawsuit and dismissed the defendants’ objection as unfounded.
After both sides presented their arguments, Justice Amobeda announced the court would reserve judgement and communicate a date for the verdict.