The National Judicial Council (NJC) has announced an urgent meeting scheduled for next week, wherein the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, and the Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Aboki, will be summoned for thorough investigations. This decision follows the summoning of both judges by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, due to conflicting court orders arising from their jurisdictions.
Simultaneously, the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has called for disciplinary measures against lawyers and judges involved in issuing conflicting orders concerning the legal dispute over the Kano Emirate.
In addition, certain groups within the dissolved Emirates Councils have reiterated their opposition to the abolition of the emirates, emphasizing that their stance is not politically motivated.
According to a statement by the Director of Information at the NJC, an initial meeting between the CJN and the two chief judges is set for May 30, 2024, to provide necessary context before a comprehensive investigation by the NJC.
The legal turmoil ensued after conflicting court orders were issued by the Federal High Court and Kano State High Court regarding the chieftaincy matter in Kano State. These orders coincided with the Kano State Government's repeal of the law establishing four additional emirates for the Kano metropolis.
The NBA has strongly criticized the conduct of lawyers and judges involved, expressing concern over the damage inflicted on the legal profession's reputation. The association vows to pursue disciplinary actions through the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) against any implicated legal practitioners.
Meanwhile, stakeholders from various emirates, including the Bichi Emirate Development Association and prominent elders from the Rano Emirate Council, have voiced their discontent with the dissolution of the emirates, citing developmental achievements attributed to the previous emirate structure under the administration of former Governor Umar Abdullahi Ganduje.
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