Deposed Emir Sanusi gets favourable court judgement

Justice Anwuli Chikere has declared as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional, the banishment of the deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to Awe in Nasarawa State.

The Federal High Court, Abuja, court held that the restrictions placed on Sanusi after his deposition on March 9, 2020, on allegations of insubordination are arbitrary violation of his right to freedom of movement and personal liberty the Nigerian constitution guarantees.

Justice Chikere agreed with Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, counsel to Sanusi, that deposed emir was  moved against his wish.

She further held that the right to freedom of liberty and personal dignity granted under Section 34 of Nigeria’s constitution cannot be taken away as done by the Kano Government, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) except with express order of the court.

Chikere then voided Sanusi’s arrest, harassment, and banishment, and set it aside on the ground of being an infringement of his fundamental human rights.

The justice awarded N10 million as damages against the state and the security agencies.

The court also ordered the respondents to tender a public apology to Sanusi in two major national dailies for the embarrassment and rights violation.