In a landmark ruling, the Federal High Court in Kano has mandated the Kano State Government to compensate the deposed Emir, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, with N10 million for infringing upon his fundamental rights.
The court has also ordered the state to ensure Bayero’s right to movement and personal liberty.
Presiding over the case, Justice Simon Amobeda asserted the court’s jurisdiction to hear Bayero’s rights violation suit before addressing the core issues. Emphasising the importance of jurisdiction, Justice Amobeda noted that any proceedings without it would be void.
The judge highlighted that Bayero sought N5 billion in damages from the Kano State Government for breaching his fundamental human rights, as well as the enforcement of his rights to movement and personal liberty.
In his ruling, Justice Amobeda stated, “The court is duty-bound to protect the rights of every citizen, but that protection must be substantiated with cogent and vital evidence, which the applicant has successfully provided.”
The judge recounted events from 2019, when the Kano State Government used Kingmakers to select a new Emir. However, on May 23, 2024, Governor Abba Yusuf announced Bayero’s deposition via social media and ordered his arrest, giving him 48 hours to vacate the palace.
Justice Amobeda declared that without lawful justification, Bayero’s fundamental rights to liberty and freedom of movement, as guaranteed by Sections 35(1) and 41(1) of the 1999 Constitution, were violated. He described the government’s actions, which included placing Bayero under house arrest, as a flagrant breach of his rights.
The court further restrained the police, DSS, and other respondents from arresting, detaining, or harassing Bayero. Justice Amobeda concluded by ordering the Kano State Government to pay N10 million for breaching Bayero’s fundamental rights to personal liberty and freedom of movement.
This ruling underscores the court’s role in safeguarding citizens’ rights against unlawful government actions.
