3rd June, 2020
A Federal High Court sitting in Kano on Wednesday reinstated five suspended members of the Kano State House of Assembly.
Their offence, according to the speaker of the House Abdulaziz Gafasa, was opposing the dethronement of Emir Muhammad Sanusi II.
Earlier on March 16, the assembly suspended five members over alleged involvement in snatching a mace during plenary, while hearing a motion for the investigation and dethronement of former Emir Sanusi.
The lawmakers are Labaran Abdul Madari, APC representing Warawa Constituency, Bello Bututu, APC, representing Rimin Gado/Tofa Constituency, Isyaku, PDP Gezawa, Garba Yau APC Kunci/Tsanyawa and Maje Gwangwazo PDP, representing Kano Municipal.
The lawmakers in an originating summons urged the court to declare their suspension as a violation of Section 109 of the 1999 Constitution as amended.
They said that the section stipulates and guarantee their tenure in office.
Nuraini Jimoh, Counsel to the lawmakers, said that the suspension contravenes article 13 of the African Charter on people’s and human rights and Section 109 of the Constitution.
The presiding Judge, Justice Lewis Allagoa, however, agreed with the submission of the counsel to the lawmakers.
In his judgement, Allagoa said that the suspension was unconstitutional, null and void.
He also ordered the Speaker and the Kano State House of Assembly to pay salaries and allowances of the five suspended members.