Kano State government denied banishing Sanusi, saying the movement of the former emir from Kano might have been a security decision by the security agencies to secure the peace of the town.
“The decision of the government as
stated in the statement of the Secretary to the Government was clear and
it was that the former emir had been removed. There was no word
“banishment” in the statement,” the state Attorney-General, Muktar, told
THISDAY yesterday in a telephone interview.
He said the security agencies might have taken the decision in the
interest of Sanusi, explaining that unless the security agencies
rendered their security report, it might be premature to conclude that
the former emir’s right had been breached.
“This might be a security decision, and
until you have the details of the security report, it might be premature
to make a claim of right abuse,” he said, adding, “He might have been
relocated for his personal safety, safety of his family or that of the
public.”
He said it was normal practice for deposed emirs to be moved away to
maintain peace in the state, adding that such an action does not
contravene the constitution.
The AG explained that Sanusi was not removed because of the corruption probe but because of insubordination.
“The state government has not taken the law into its own hands. Let me
explain that the decision to remove the emir from office is
administrative and was not based on the issues pending before the court.
All the issues pending before the court have nothing to do with the
removal of the emir or the dethronement,” he had told Channels
Television yesterday.
On whether or not the anti-corruption agency in Kano would continue with Sanusi’s probe, Muktar said: “No decision on that actually.
“I cannot pre-empt the position of the government on whether the investigation will stop or will continue. I cannot say as of now.”
The Commissioner for Information, Mr. Garba Mohammed also toed the same line yesterday, saying the tradition was for a deposed emir to go into exile, citing the Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki and Emir Mustapha Jokolo cases.
“I, however, understand that Jokolo has a judgment that is on appeal, which means we have to wait for the outcome of the matter at the Supreme Court for us to make a definitive statement on the position of the law on this matter,” he told THISDAY yesterday, adding: “The Kano State government followed all the processes laid down by the law and tradition.”
He said Governor Abdullahi Ganduje and his Nasarawa State counterpart, Mr. Abdullahi Sule, interacted and agreed that Sanusi would be provided an abode that would be conducive enough for him to move on with his life.
However, the state’s anti-corruption agency yesterday said it would continue the investigation into the allegation of corruption against the deposed emir.
The chairman of the commission, Mr. Muhuyi Rimingado, said the investigation was still ongoing.
“Even on Monday, some companies were invited by the commission. But on the deposed emir, the investigation will continue after the court order,” he added.
Magaji said with the deposition of the monarch, the commission would now have what he described as ‘fertile ground’ to carry out its investigation without any interference.
Meanwhile, the Kano State Commissioner for Police, Habu Ahmadu, said yesterday that Sanusi’s freedom was not tampered with as his movement was spelt out.
He stated that counsel to the deposed emir was economical with the truth on what transpired in Kano after the former emir’s deposition.
“The lawyers did not mention everything that happened. They ought to have mentioned what happened, the counsel to the deposed emir. I saw the press conference yesterday. Everything (deposed emir’s movement) was spelt out,” Ahmadu told THISDAY.
On the Kano AG’s position that Sanusi was not banished by the state government, he said he would speak on it after receiving a full briefing on the matter.
“I have not watched the AG’s video. When I do so, I will be able to speak on it,” he said.
This Day
