Court of Appeal in Abuja has nullified the judgment of the Kano state high court which
granted a perpetual injunction restraining the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, and four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.
A three- man panel led by Justice Mohammed Mustapha held that the judgment delivered by the lower court on the July 15 is a nullity, as the appellant’s rights to fair hearing was breached.
The appellate court held that the matter be sent back to the chief Judge of the state to be reassigned to another judge for the suit to be heard de novo.
The court while determining one of the issues raised by the Ado-Bayero, which has to do with fair hearing, held that the appellant should have been notified and allowed access to counsel after his lawyer withdrew from the matter during proceedings on July 4, 2024, instead the court continued to hear the matter without proper notification where necessary.
The court held that such action amounts to a nullity of the entire proceedings that took place on the said day.
The appellate court therefore upheld the appeal on the issue of fair hearing in favour of the appellant.
According to the court, having put to rest the issues of fair hearing, there was no need to go into other matters for determination, as the issue of fair hearing having been determined supersedes other matters raised.
More details later. . .
Editor Paul Akhagbemhe
