The Justice and Equity Watch Group (JEWG) has raised concerns over an alleged disregard of a Federal High Court judgement by the Kano State office of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC).
This was conveyed in an open letter addressed to the Commission’s Executive Secretary, Anthony Okechukwu Ojukwu (SAN), urging swift action to address the matter.
The open letter, signed by JEWG’s Kano State Chairman Danjuma Habibu, highlighted a judgement by Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman of the Federal High Court in Kano, which voided the reappointment of Muhammad Sanusi II as the 16th Emir of Kano, on 20th June, 2024.
The judgement mandated a return to the status quo ante and nullified all actions taken after Sanusi’s purported reinstatement.
Despite the court’s ruling, JEWG alleges that the Kano NHRC office has shown bias by officially visiting Muhammad Sanusi II at the Emir’s Palace on December 5, 2024.
The visit, conducted in preparation for the International Human Rights Day celebration, is perceived by JEWG as an implicit recognition of Sanusi as the Emir of Kano, directly contradicting the court’s directive.
The letter stated that “All security agencies in Kano have respected the court’s judgement, maintaining the status quo ante. However, the NHRC Kano office’s actions are a blatant disregard for this legal mandate.”
JEWG is calling on Mr. Ojukwu, known for his commitment to the rule of law, to investigate and sanction those responsible for what they term a “flagrant disrespect” of the judiciary.
The group emphasized the importance of upholding court rulings to maintain public confidence in the nation’s legal system.
“All eyes are on the Executive Secretary to ensure that the integrity of the judiciary is protected and that the NHRC Kano office aligns its actions with the principles of justice and equity,” the letter concluded.
The controversy surrounding the Kano Emirship tussle remains a sensitive issue, with stakeholders urging restraint and adherence to legal processes. Observers await the NHRC’s response to JEWG’s call for action.
