Appeal Court Bars Federal High Court from Kano Emirate Case

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled, by a majority decision of two Justices to one, that the Federal High Court in Kano does not have the jurisdiction to preside over matters related to the Kano Emirate case. The appellate court held that only the Kano State High Court is empowered to adjudicate on chieftaincy disputes within the state.

In the lead judgment delivered on Friday, Justice Gabriel Omoniyi Kolawole stated that the Federal High Court has no authority to interfere in Kano State Chieftaincy matters. Justice Kolawole clarified that the Kano State High Court is the appropriate forum for such cases.

Justice Kolawole and Mustapha Mohammed, the Presiding Justice, agreed that the Federal High Court lacked jurisdiction over the matter. However, the Justices differed on the next steps: Justice Kolawole suggested remitting the case to the Kano Chief Judge for reassignment to a State High Court judge, while the majority decision favored striking out the case entirely.

Ultimately, the Court of Appeal ordered that the proceedings be struck out, emphasizing that the Federal High Court should not have entertained the case in the first instance.