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Northern Lawyers Demand Governor Yusuf To Revoke Sanusi Reinstatement In 48 Hours
In a bold move, a group of Northern Nigerian lawyers has given Kano State Governor, Abba Yusuf, a strict 48-hour deadline to reverse his decision to reinstate Emir Muhammad Sanusi II.
The Northern Lawyers’ Forum, at a press briefing in Abuja, decried the reinstatement as “unconstitutional” and “contrary to the traditions and customs of the Kano Emirate.”
Barr Umar Sadiq Abubakar, Director General of the Northern Lawyers’ Forum, asserted that Sanusi’s initial removal adhered to the legal and traditional protocols of the Kano Emirate.
He argued that reinstating Sanusi would disrupt the state’s legal order and create chaos. The group views this action as a significant undermining of the rule of law.
Abubakar accused Governor Yusuf of blatantly disregarding a Federal High Court ruling that prohibited the reinstatement of Sanusi.
He highlighted that Yusuf’s reliance on a purported injunction from the Kano State High Court to nullify the Federal High Court’s order was an outright challenge to judicial authority and set a dangerous precedent undermining the country’s legal hierarchy.
The lawyers cautioned that failure to comply with their ultimatum would compel them to pursue all necessary legal actions to uphold judicial integrity and protect the interests of Kano State residents. Their statement conveyed a clear warning:
“It has become necessary to address the executive overreach and blatant judicial disregard demonstrated by the Governor of Kano State, H.E. Abba K. Yusuf.”
The group reiterated the sequence of events leading to the current standoff. Before Sanusi’s reinstatement, a Federal High Court had issued an order restraining Governor Yusuf and other parties from reinstating Sanusi as Emir. Despite this, Governor Yusuf proceeded with the reinstatement, flouting the court’s directive.
The Northern Lawyers’ Forum emphasized their unwavering commitment to an independent judiciary. They condemned Governor Yusuf’s actions, stating that a governor who has sworn to uphold the law and constitution cannot selectively ignore court orders. They declared their resolve to challenge any illegal actions that threaten the sanctity of justice:
“We will not allow this to go unchallenged. The principle of constitutionalism clearly states that no one is above the law, including the Governor of Kano State.”
Another explosion occurred at a pipeline manifold in the Omwawriwa area of Ogba-Egbema-Ndoni Local Government Area of Rivers State on Tuesday.
This incident follows a similar explosion that shook the Trans Niger Pipeline, operated by Shell, in Bodo, Gokana Local Government Area just hours earlier.
The latest explosion reportedly took place at a manifold connected to a federal pipeline deep within the forest, which transports crude oil to Brass in Bayelsa State.
While the explosion has not yet been officially confirmed, community sources reported seeing massive flames and thick smoke rising from the oil installation in the forest.
Grace Iringe-Koko, the spokesperson for the Rivers State Police Command, stated that she would investigate the incident but had not provided a response at the time of this report.
A video obtained by our correspondent displays a large fire burning in a remote location.
In a separate development, Ijaw youths blocked the Ahoada section of the East-West Road leading to Bayelsa State on Tuesday in protest.
The demonstrators, numbering over 100, carried placards in solidarity with Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara amid his political dispute with the state House of Assembly. Some of the placards read: “We demand Wike’s dismissal as FCT Minister” and “Martin Amaewhule and 26 lawmakers have defected and lost their seats.
The House of Representatives on Tuesday passed the four tax reform bills transmitted to the National Assembly in October 2024 by President Bola Tinubu.
Recall that the House had on Thursday last week, considered and approved the report of the House Committee on Finance which made some recommendations, particularly in controversial areas such as the Value Added Tax and inheritance tax.
While awaiting the Senate to similarly pass the bills, the proposed reforms are expected to be transmitted to the President for his assent in the days ahead.
Details shortly…
Two members of the house of representatives have defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Tajudeen Abbas, speaker of the house, announced the defections in a letter read on the floor of the lower legislative chamber on Tuesday.
More to follow…