Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court in Abuja has declared as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional, the banishment of the deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to Awe, a remote community in Nasarawa State.
The court held that the restrictions placed on Sanusi after his deposition was a clear arbitrary violation of his rights to freedom of movement and liberty as granted under section 34 of the Nigerian constitution except with express order of the court.
The Judge subsequently voided the banishment of Sanusi to Abuja and later to Nasarawa state, setting it aside on the grounds of infringement on his fundermental human rights.
A sum of N10M was awarded to the Emir as damages to be paid to him by the respondents.
The court also issued an order directing the respondents to tender public apology to Sanusi to be published in two major national dailies for the embarrassment caused him in the cause of breaching his fundamental human rights.
Speaking to journalists immediately after the judgement, Counsel to the Kano State Attorney General, Abdulsalam Saliu said they will study the judgement and decide on the next line of action.
The deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi II, was dethroned on March 9, 2020 on allegation of insubordination.
By Victoria Abah.