The Kano State High Court has adjourned the sitting in a case filed by the Kano State Government, to restrain the 15th Emir Ado Bayero and four other emirs, from parading themselves as emirs.

The motion on notice was filed by the plaintiffs on interlocutory injunction, after the interim order was granted by the court and the first defendant, in the suit served the plaintiff with a counter affidavit which they were to respond to.

The presiding judge, Justice Amina Adamu listened to both counsels, and adjourned the hearing of the suit till 2nd July, 2024.

The development comes after the Kano State Police Command said it had deployed more armed personnel, to the two palaces housing the contending emirs in the metropolitan local government areas of Kano.

It was gathered that the hunters guarding the two palaces withdrew with the arrival of more policemen at both palaces.

The outgoing Commissioner of Police in the state, Usaini Gumel, confirmed the deployment during an interview with newsmen.

He emphasised the necessity of the action, stating, “Equipped and armed personnel have been deployed to handle any unforeseen circumstances around the identified areas.”

Gumel, who is also an Assistant Inspector General of Police, further explained that the reinforced personnel deployment was to ensure adequate security and foster peaceful co-existence within the state.

“Armed personnel have been deployed to provide security at the Kofar Kudu Palace, residence of Emir Malam Mohammad Sanusi, and the Nasarawa Mimi Palace, residence of Emir Aminu Bayero,” he said.

In a call for public cooperation, the police commissioner appealed to residents to support the police efforts by providing information that could aid in maintaining peace and stability in the state.

“The police appeal for public support and urge residents to provide information that could aid in maintaining peace, progress, and political stability,” he said.

He reassured the public of the command’s dedication to ensuring the safety and security of all residents, enabling them to pursue their legitimate activities without threats to lives and property.

“The command is committed to providing the required security that will enable all residents to pursue their legitimate activities without threats to lives and property,” Gumel stated.

The deployment happened amid the tension in the ancient city of Kano due to the emirship tussle.

The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has raised an alarm over alleged plan by Governor Ahmed Aliyu of Sokoto State to depose the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

The Executive Director of MURIC, Prof. Isiaq Akintola, raised the alarm in a statement on Monday.

The development is coming amid the controversy and tension over the deposition of some monarchs in Kano State.

Governor Aliyu had earlier deposed 15 traditional rulers for various offences.

In his statement, Akintola said Nigerian Muslims reject any thought of deposing the Sultan.

“Feelers in circulation indicate that the governor may descend on the Sultan of Sokoto any moment from now using any of the flimsy excuses used to dethrone the 15 traditional rulers whom he removed earlier.

“MURIC advises the governor to look before he leaps. The Sultan’s stool is not only traditional. It is also religious. In the same vein, his jurisdiction goes beyond Sokoto. It covers the whole of Nigeria. He is the spiritual head of all Nigerian Muslims.

“Therefore, any governor who tampers with the stool of the Sultan will have Nigerian Muslims to reckon with because the Sultan combines the office of the Sultan of Sokoto and that of the President General of the NSCIA,” Akintola said.

The MURIC boss warned that Governor Aliyu should not force Nigerian Muslims to take a drastically revolutionary measure.

He said having a traditional ruler as leader has been a condition Nigerian Muslims accepted a long time ago as a necessary weakness in the structure which they have to live with.

He said, “A military governor, Col. Yakubu Muazu, exposed this soft underbelly when he deposed Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki on 20th April, 1996. Nigerian Muslims will be forced to make a hard decision if Sokoto governors continue to diminish the authority of the Sultan.

Former Council Chairmen of 21 out of the 23 Local Governments Area (LGA) in Rivers State on Monday staged a protest at their various council areas. 

In Buguma, council headquarters of the Asari-Toru LGA, former Chairman Onengiyeofori George, alongside his supporters marched through the streets of the town as they gyrate to songs in solidarity with the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike.

They waved placards with inscriptions asking the police to continue occupying the council headquarters. Some of the inscriptions read, “Sim Fubara Can’t Continue to Act As He likes” and “There’s No Vacancy in Asari-Toru Council”.

The former Council Chairmen of 21 out of the 23 Local Governments in Rivers state are protesting at their various council areas this morning.#CTCTweets pic.twitter.com/8qPDlwxNuS

The pro-Wike former LGA bosses protested in their local councils despite an advisory against protests issued by the Rivers State Police Command.

At Asari-Toru LGA, the protest almost turned violent when some men believed to be operatives of Asari Dokubo’s private military company colloquially known as Amama Soldiers attempted to attack the protesters.

The Amama Soldiers were swiftly restrained by policemen who were very alert. The demonstrators later presented a protest letter to the police.

The protest in Rivers state almost turned violent when some men believed to be operatives of Asari Dokubo’s private military company colloquially known as Amama Soldiers attempted to attack the group.

They were swiftly restrained by the police who were very alert#CTVTweets pic.twitter.com/qn2eWRuUHy

Also in Abonnema, the Akuku-Toru LGA council headquarters, some persons staged a protest, backing the continued closure of council premises by the police.

The police took over the council secretariats of the 23 LGAs in the oil-rich South-South last Tuesday following the crisis that erupted over the three-year tenure expiration of the former LGA chairmen. Three deaths have been recorded in the wake of the pandemonium.

Governor Siminalayi Fubara immediately sworn in 23 caretaker chairmen but the police have continued to barricade the council premises in all the LGAs preventing both parties from gaining access to avert possibilities of break down of law and order.