High Court Prohibits Governor Ahmed Aliyu's Attempt to Dethrone Sokoto's Traditional Rulers Amidst Legal Battle.

Governor Ahmed Aliyu has been prohibited from overthrowing the state's two traditional rulers by a High Court located in Sokoto.

The district heads of Tambuwal and Kebbe, Buhari Dahiru Tambuwal and Abubakar Kassim, requested the ruling separately, and Justice Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed granted it on Thursday.

Regarding the Kebbe and Tambuwal monarchs, Justice Ahmed ordered the governor, the state's attorney general, the Sokoto Sultanate Council, their agents, servants, privies, or assigns to pause any action, specifically against the two monarchs, until their attorney, Ibrahim Abdullahi, SAN, could hear and decide on a motion for an interlocutory injunction. 

As per the judge's directive, the accused parties are required to; “maintain status quo and stay all actions and further actions in connection with all matters dealing with and or appertaining to the removal and or dethronement of district heads in Sokoto State.”

This happened after the state administration had previously removed the two monarchs and twelve other people for allegedly inciting unrest and insubordination.

In an effort to change the state's Local Government Law, the governor also forwarded a measure to the State Assembly. On Wednesday, the bill passed a second reading and was then referred to a House Committee.

If the law, which is scheduled for a public hearing on Tuesday, is approved, the governor will have the sole authority to name and remove the state's district and village chiefs as well as traditional leaders.