On March 9th, the country with enough drama for a dedicated channel on DSTV brought you something new – the Kano State Emir – Emir Sanusi was banished following his dethronement over insurbodination.
In the hours that have passed since the Am it’s banishment and dethronement, a number of things have happened. But first, a refresher course:
Why was Emir Sanusi banished?
So here’s the thing. Emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi was banished to Loko, Nasarawa State, to remain under house arrest at the pleasure of the Kano state government.
Why was the emir banished and not say relegated to live in his regular, probably fancy civilian house in Kano State?
Well, that’s because the Kano State government is popping and can do whatever it wants.
No really. Emir Sanusi was dethroned for insurbodination and contravening the provisions of Part 3, Section 3 of the Kano State Emirate Law, 2018, as well as his insubordination.
But the powers of banishment, akin to some Chinua Achebe book, we’re not too sure where the government got such powers.
Is Emir Sanusi’s banishment legal?
Let’s see what the constitution has to say.
Chapter 2 of the Nigerian Constitution provides for the fundamental rights of its citizens. And know what’s front and centre in those rights? The freedom of movement and the right to fair hearing.
We’re not sure, but it’s really hard to wrap our heads around a court that would okay imprisoning a person within a residence, especially for insubordination.
That, and a court that would approve the removal of a titled member of Nigeria’s royalty after one day of inquiries into his acts of ‘insubordination’
Buy hey, that’s just us.
Then again, this country did remove its Chief Justice on an ex parte order, so anything goes really.
Nasir Ado Bayero Crowned Emir.
A few hours following the dethronement and banishing of the former Emir of Kano State – Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, Nasir Ado Bayero was appointed as Emir.
Back in 2014, he lost the chance to take over the throne from his late father – Alhaji Ado Bayero.
He is now officially, the 15th Emir of Kano State.
What do you think of the legality of Emir Sanusi’s banishment and dethronement?
