Supreme Court Schedules Kano Emirship Hearing for 2027

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has set April 17, 2027, for a hearing regarding the emirship dispute in Kano State. The panel, led by Justice Adamu Jauro, adjourned the matter due to late service of process to the defendants, who were required to respond by April 14 and 15.

The case was transferred from the Federal High Court to the Kano State High Court after the Federal High Court ruled it lacked jurisdiction to hear the matter. The appeal court had previously ruled that the chieftaincy dispute should be determined by the Kano State High Court, describing the Federal High Court's handling as a grave error.

On June 20, 2024, the Federal High Court, presided over by Justice Abubakar Liman, nullified the Kano State Government's emir council repeal law of 2024, reinstating Muhammadu Sanusi II as the 16th emir. The appeal court's ruling emphasized that the matter should be addressed at the state level, citing relevant sections of the Nigerian Constitution and the Federal High Court Act.