The deposed emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi ll, has vowed to take legal action against the Kano State government over what he described as unlawful detention after his dethronement on Monday.
On Monday, the Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State had dethroned the emir over alleged violation of culture and traditions of the state.
Consequently, the monarch was banished to Nasarawa State where is expected to spend the rest of his life.
However, Mr Sanusi’s legal team, led by Abubakar Mahmoud, SAN, in a press briefing on Tuesday, said they received instruction from the deposed emir to challenge his detention and banishment in court.
Mr Mahmoud argued that from their view, the detention is illegal and unconstitutional, urging the government to review the decision within 24 hours or take legal action.
“According to instructions we received from the Emir through his Chief of Staff, we are directed to take legal action to challenge the legality of the Emir’s detention and banishment.
“We are of the firm view that this action is illegal and unconstitutional. Section 35 of our constitution guarantees every citizen the right to personal liberty.
“The basis of the denial of personal liberty are set out clearly in this Section of the Constitution. None applies to the case of the Emir.
“We informed the Commissioner of Police that it was illegal and violation of his constitutional rights to move him to Nassarawa State against his wish.
“The Emir informed the Commissioner of Police that his friends had sent an aircraft to fly him and his family to Lagos and requested that they should be provided with necessary security to the airport so that he could leave.
“The Commissioner refused, saying that was not their instruction. They were willing to allow the family to leave for Lagos but he was to be flown to Abuja then taken to Nasarawa State,” Mr Mahmoud said.
He added that, “It was clear to us that both the Emir and ourselves were helpless and the police and other security agents were willing to take any measure and use force to achieve their objective.
“In order not to jeopardize the Emir’s safety or the safety of any member of his family or indeed other persons around, the Emir decided to cooperate and proceed in the vehicles provided by the operatives,” Mr Mahmoud added.
“We accompanied the Commissioner of Police to the Nigerian Airforce Base in Kano where the Emir was put onboard a private aircraft and departed at about 6.40pm.
“The family subsequently boarded the aircraft arranged by his friends and departed for Lagos about 15 minutes later.
“We understand the choice of location to detain HH Muhammadu Sanusi II was intended to cause maximum trauma and distress.
“The archaic practice of banishment of deposed Emirs, a colonial practice has no basis under Nigerian law or the Constitution.
“We are totally perplexed at the resort to this practice in present day Nigeria by its political leaders,” he said.
“We are concerned about the personal safety and security of HH Muhammdu Sanusi II and wish to call on all well-meaning Nigerians and the International Community to bring their influence to bear to ensure that HH Muhammadu Sanusi regains his liberty immediately and to guaranty his safety and security,” Mr Mahmoud concluded.
