Kano State government has explained that the Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi II, was dethroned over disrespect to Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and lawful authorities.
The dethronement of Sanusi, a banker and former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), was announced Monday morning by the Secretary to the State Government, Usman Alhaji at the end of the State Executive Council meeting which held at the Government House in Kano.
According to Usman Alhaji, the state government took the decision to remove the traditional ruler over allegations of consistently refusing to abide by instructions given to him.
Recall that the embattled emir was alleged to be involved in N2.2billion land scam by Kano State Public Complaint and Anti-Corruption Commission, a fresh investigation over allegation of illegal sales of landed property where it issued the Emir an invitation to appear before it on March 5, 2020, for interrogations.
This came two days after the state House of Assembly directed its Committee on Public Petition to also investigate a petition filed against the monarch.
The Chairman, Kano Society for Promotion of Education and Culture, KSPEC, Mohammed Muktar, and one Dalhatu Abubakar, had also petitioned Kano State House of Assembly, accusing the monarch of official misconduct.
Briefing newsmen on the development, the SSG specifically said the monarch was in total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the Governor, Ganduje and other lawful authorities hence his immediate dethronement.
He also said a new Emir will soon be appointed.
According to the SSG, “the Kano state executive council, under the Chairmanship of the incumbent Governor, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, has unanimously approved the immediate removal/dethronement of the Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II.
“The Emir of Kano is in total disrespect to lawful instructions from the office of the state Governor and other lawful authorities, including his persistent refusal to attend official meetings and programmes organised by the Government without any justification which amount to total insubordination.
“It is on record and so many instances, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi II has been found breaching part 3 section 13 (a-e) of the Kano state Emirate Law 2019 and which if left unchecked will destroy the good and established image of the Kano Emirate.
“This removal is made after due consultation with the relevant stakeholders and in compliance with part 3 section, 13 of the Kano state Emirate law and order reasons stated above.
“The removal is reached in order to safeguard the sanctity, culture, tradition, religion and prestige of the Kano Emirate built over a thousand years.
“His Excellency, Dr. Ganduje calls on the General public to remain calm, law-abiding and to go about their normal businesses, while a new Emir of Kano Emirate will soon be appointed,” the SSG, Alhaji said.
(With additional report from Vanguard)