A Federal High Court in Kano has reserved judgement in a case concerning the fundamental human rights claim by Aminu Ado Bayero, the former Emir of Kano.
Simon Amobeda, the presiding judge, made the decision on Friday after arguments from the parties involved.
The applicant, Bayero, filed an ex parte motion, urging the court order to stop his arrest and infringement of his rights by the respondents.
The respondents include the attorney general of the federation, the attorney general of Kano State, and various security agencies.
During the hearing, Mahmoud Abubakar Magaji, representing the attorney general of the state, presented a preliminary objection based on Bayero’s fundamental rights and the annulled Kano emirate law.
Magaji requested the court to reject the initial summons, arguing that the position of emir is a privilege, not a right, and at the time of the application, Bayero was no longer the emir.
He also sought to overturn a previous court order that prevented Bayero’s arrest.
“Being an emir is a privilege not a right. The applicant filed his application five days after he was removed. At the time of filing is no longer an emir and if that was established.
“The applicant has agreed that he was removed but without fair hearing. I urge your lordship to refuse to hear their application. I urge the court to descontenance the originating summon,” the lawyer argued.
Michael Jonathan Numa, counsel for Bayero, contended that the court holds the authority to hear the case as it pertains to Bayero’s fundamental rights.
Numa submitted a motion in support of the claim, emphasising the importance of the case for justice and peace in Kano and Nigeria.
He also informed the court of the withdrawal of two requests from their application and asked for the dismissal of the respondents’ preliminary objection.
The judge said that the date for the judgement would be communicated to the parties involved.
