The deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi II has regained his freedom from detention as directed by court order, he is set to leave Awe town in Nasarawa to a place of his choice. The deposed Emir was whisked to Awe, a town in Nasarawa state after he was stripped of his monarch title by the order of Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje of Kano state.
The renowned banker turned monarch was deposed of his title over allegation of insubordination to the office of the governor and other agencies.
Muhamadu Sanusi shortly after his dethronement was banished to Loko village in Nasarawa state before the intervention of the Nasarawa state governor; Abdullahi Sule changed the venue to Awe, also a town in the state. He was replaced by, Aminu Ado Bayero, a son the Ado Bayero the former Emir before Muhammadu Sanusi.
The development attracted an outcry from various bodies in Nigeria calling for the unconditional enforcement of his fundamental Human Rights.
Sanusi II through his counsel, AB Mahmud instituted a case at the Abuja High Court calling for the immediate release of his client from detention. Pressure was continued being mounted on both the Kano state and the Federal Government to allow the Emir to enjoy his freedom.
The suit filed by the deposed monarch was seeking for two things: “An interim order releasing him from detention and/or confinement of the respondents and restoring the applicant’s rights to human dignity, personal liberty, freedom of association and movement in Nigeria (apart from Kano State) pending the hearing and determination of the Applicant’s Originating Motion.”
Respondents in the suit include the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General, Department of State Service (DSS), Attorney General of Kano State and the Attorney General of the Federation.
The suit was brought under sections 34, 35, 40, 41 and 46 of the Nigerian Constitution, and Articles 5, 6, 10, 12(1) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights (Ratification and Enforcement) Act Cap A9 LFN 2010 and Order IV Rules 3 and 4 of the Fundamental Rights (Enforcement Procedure) Rules 2009.
