The Kano State High Court issued a decisive order on Monday, May 27, 2024, directing the state’s Commissioner of Police to evict the dethroned Emir, Aminu Ado Bayero, from the mini-palace in the Nasarawa area of Kano.
The ruling, delivered by Justice Aisha Adamu Aliyu, also restrained Bayero and four other former first-class chiefs from parading themselves as the Emir of Kano as reported by The Will.
This development comes amidst the ongoing legal battles and power struggles that have gripped the ancient city since the reinstatement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf on May 23, 2024. 
The roots of the current crisis can be traced back to March 2020, when the then-Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje dethroned Sanusi II and appointed Bayero as the new Emir of Kano.
This move was widely criticized, with many perceiving it as a politically motivated decision aimed at silencing Sanusi’s outspoken views on various issues.
Upon assuming office in 2023, Governor Yusuf vowed to rectify the situation, fulfilling his campaign promise to restore the revered legacy of the Kano Emirate.
On May 23, 2024, he signed the Kano State Emirate (Repeal) bill into law, effectively abolishing the five emirates established by his predecessor and reinstating Sanusi II as the sole Emir of Kano.
In the aftermath of Sanusi’s reinstatement, both he and Bayero conducted separate ceremonial sittings, each claiming legitimacy as the rightful Emir.
Bayero, who had been housed in the Nasarawa mini-palace since his return to Kano on Saturday, received supporters and district heads, signaling his refusal to relinquish the throne.
Meanwhile, Sanusi held court at the main palace, where he was paid homage by a significant number of district heads.
The power struggle between the two factions escalated tensions within the city, with Bayero’s supporters staging protests and lighting bonfires on major roads.
The Kano State Police Commissioner, CP Muhammad Usaini Gumel, revealed that security agencies had uncovered a plot by miscreants to attack the State House of Assembly and other strategic locations, emphasizing the need for vigilance and calm.
Amidst the mounting tensions, the Kano State High Court intervened, issuing the order to evict Bayero from the mini-palace.
The ruling came in response to a pending court case challenging the legality of Sanusi’s reinstatement.
Justice Aliyu’s order not only directed the police to evict Bayero but also barred him and four other former first-class chiefs from presenting themselves as the Emir of Kano.
This decision effectively recognizes Sanusi II as the legitimate ruler of the ancient emirate, at least for the time being.
The court ruling has been met with mixed reactions from various stakeholders.
Supporters of Sanusi II have welcomed the decision, viewing it as a step towards restoring order and upholding the rule of law in Kano.
However, Bayero’s loyalists have vowed to challenge the ruling, setting the stage for further legal battles.
Political analysts have cautioned that the situation remains delicate, with the potential for escalating tensions and unrest if not handled carefully.
They have called for dialogue and a peaceful resolution to the crisis, emphasizing the need to prioritize the stability and well-being of the people of Kano.
As the dust settles on this latest development, all eyes will be on the Kano State Police Command and its ability to enforce the court order effectively.
The eviction of Bayero from the mini-palace could prove to be a pivotal moment in resolving the long-standing dispute over the Kano Emirate throne, or it could further inflame tensions, depending on how the situation unfolds in the coming days and weeks.
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