Renowned Lawyer Faults Emir of Kano’s Dethronement, Says Sanusi is Bigger than the Throne

Malik Yahya/

Human rights lawyer and policy analyst with the Tony Blair Institute, Bulama Bukarti, has described the dethronement of the emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, by the state government as unconstitutional.

The renowned lawyer expressed his opinion in a series of tweets via his handle, @bulamabukarti.

Bukarti asserted that the action of the Executive Council of the Kano State government violated both the principle of natural justice and fair hearing as entrenched in the constitution.

He said the Kano State government acted as the accuser and at the same time as the judge in the matter.

He said Governor Umar Ganduje would regret his decision to depose the emir, while Sanusi would one day reclaim his throne.

He however advised Sanusi not to succumb to urge to return to the throne because he has a higher purpose and could better serve humanity than being an emir.

According to him Sanusi has what it takes to become Nigeria’s president or Secretary General of the United Nations, adding that his role as emir “had limited his opportunities and contributions to Nigeria and the world”.

Read Bukarti’s complete tweets below:

The purported removal of Emir Sanusi is unconstitutional, unlawful and illegal. The Kano State Govt asserted in its Press Release that he’s dethroned for insubordination. By section 36 of the Constitution and the natural justice principle of audi alteram partem, a person accused of wrong must be afforded fair hearing. It means an independent arbiter must give the accuser and the accused an opportunity to present their stories before deciding one way or the other. This wasn’t done. It was Ganduje that levied the allegations and went ahead to decide.

The above also violates the second principle of natural justice which says “nemo judex in causa sua” (that’s no-one is judge in his own cause). In the instant case, Ganduje is accuser and the judge at the time. This only happens in jungles that are devoid of due process.

The law made last year by Ganduje, under which Emir Sanusi was purportedly removed, doesn’t make provisions relating to fair hearing. In this sense, the law has contradicted the Constitution and by Section 1 of the Constitution, any law that contravenes it is illegal and void.

I believe Ganduje and his crowd know this, but they chose to violate the law because they are notorious for disregarding any law or judgement that doesn’t suit them. Their likes have turned Nigeria into a Banana Republic. They’re why Nigerians lost faith in the rule of law.

I personally think this is the best thing that has happened to the Emir of Kano. This throne had limited his opportunities and contributions to Nigeria and the world. I believe he will make an excellent President that will bring Nigeria together or a great UN Secretary General.

He has a record of getting better things after persecution. Gandollar will regret today. Unfortunately for him and his crowd, they can’t take away Sanusi’s track-record, education, wisdom, exposure, goodwill, integrity and network. And Ganduje can never, I repeat, never match them.

I believe Sanusi will outlive Ganduje. He will one day get back his throne because the victory of evil over good is ALWAYS temporary. But when that time comes, I advise Emir Sanusi to not take it back. I know he is passionate about it, but he is meant for bigger things.

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