The Federal High Court in Abuja declared on Tuesday the banishment of deposed emir Sanusi Lamido Sanusi from Kano as unlawful and unconstitutional.

Justice Anwuli Chikere held that the Emirate Council Law, 2019, used by the state government to banish Mr Sanusi conflicted with the 1999 Constitution as amended.

Ms Chikere said the constitution is supreme and any inconsistent law shall be null and void.

The judge declared that the former emir had the right to live anywhere, including Kano, as enshrined in Nigeria’s constitution.

Mr Sanusi, who was dethroned on March 9, 2020, had on March 12, 2020, sued the Inspector-General of Police, and Director-General of the State Security Service over what he called “unlawful detention/confinement”.

Also joined in the motion with suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/357/2020 are the Attorney-General of Kano and Attorney General of the Federation as third and fourth respondents.

Although Mr Sanusi was not challenging his dethronement, the former emir, however, sought an interim order of the court releasing him from the detention and/or confinement of the respondents and restoring his right to human dignity, personal liberty.

He also challenged the respondents for harassing him and violating his rights.

Justice Chikere, who struck out the name of the AGF from the suit, also restrained the first, second and third respondents from further harassing him.

The court, which awarded a N10 million fine against the first, second and third respondents, also ordered them to tender a public apology in two national dailies.

(NAN)