By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
Former Emir of Kano, Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has formally dragged the Kano State government and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) before a Federal High Court in Abuja over his unlawful banishment to Awe town in Nasarawa State.
Sanusi in a fundamental human rights suit instituted in Abuja is praying the court to release him from detention and confinement to Awe town.
In the suit brought pursuant to section 34, 35, 40, 41 and 46 of the 1999 Constitution and Order 4 Rule 4 of the Federal High Court, the former emir wants the court to restore his right to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement in Nigeria apart from Kano State.
Other respondents in the legal action are the Inspector General of Police and Director General, State Security Service (SSS).
Sanusi’s legal team of about 30 lawyers including 12 Senior Advocates of Nigeria, is headed by Prince Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi SAN.
In the suit with no: FHC/ABJ/ CS/357/2020, the former Emir of Kano is asking the court to declare his banishment to Nasarawa State as illegal, unlawful, unconstitutional, null and void.
Sanusi was on Monday, March 9, 2020, dethroned as Emir of Kano by the State government.
Among others, Sanusi was accused of disrespect to authorities of Kano state government, disloyalty and absence from meetings without cogent reasons
From the tone of this particular court action, the former emir appeared silent on his dethronement, but focussed on his unlawful banishment to a town in Nasarawa state.
Shortly after his dethronement, he was banished to Loko village in Nasarawa State from where he was later moved to Awe town.