The Federal High Court, Abuja, has ordered the immediate release of the deposed Emir of Kano, Lamido Sanusi, from confinement pending the determination of the substantive suit challenging his banishment to a remote village in Nasarawa State.
Sanusi is currently under house arrest in Awe Local Government Area of the state after he was relocated from Loko town in Nasarawa Local Government Area due to poor infrastructure and amenities.
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Justice Anwuli Chikere gave the order in an application filed on Sanusi’s behalf by his counsel, Lateef Fagbemi, asking the Federal High Court, Abuja, to quash his banishment and direct his release from confinement.
When the matter came up on Friday, his counsel, in an ex parte application, told the court that before the pronouncement of the extradition, the palace was evaded by the Nigerian Police, men of the Department of State Security Services, DSS, before the letter of dethronement came despite the fact that there was no criminal charge hanging on Sanusi.
He emphasised that Sanusi had promised not to go to Kano until the determination of the matter and urged the court for means of substituted service of the court process on the respondent through electronic media.
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Justice Chikere, therefore, granted the application and ordered the release of Sanusi from detention pending the determination of the substantive suit.
An order of substituted means of service was also granted by the court.
Sanusi on March 12, filed an ex parte application seeking the enforcement of his right to freedom of association, movement, and also wants the leave of the court for substituted service of the motion papers on the respondents.
Joined in the suit are the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General, DSS, the Attorney-General of Kano State as well as the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice.
Sanusi was detroned as Emir of Kano on March 9, 2020, over alleged disregard of lawful instructions from Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of Kano State and other lawful authorities.
He is currently banished to Awe town in Nasarawa State.
