Court halts Emir Ado Bayero’s mini palace reconstruction

Justice Dije Andy Aboki has granted an ex parte order to restrain the rehabilitation of the Nasarawa mini palace, currently occupied by the 15th Kano Emir, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero. The interim injunction was issued following an ex parte motion filed by the Kano State Government, the Attorney General, and Commissioner for Justice, and the Kano Emir Council in response to the planned rebuild of the palace. Chief Justice Aboki ordered the parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the case.

The court specifically prohibited any demolition, renovation, repairing, reconstructing, or refurbishing of the property known as Gidan Sarki Nasarawa, located along State Road, Kano. The monarch, Alh. Aminu Ado Bayero, has been holding traditional courts at the mini palace for the last four months despite the state government’s abolition of his reign. Despite ongoing legal battles, the state government recently attempted to demolish the mini palace, but the move was thwarted by heavy security presence.

The resurgence of the prolonged tussle resurfaced with the emergence of a planned structural and architectural design of the palace accompanied by an official statement unveiling renovation plans for the old traditional edifice. The court has set October 2 for the hearing on the motion on notice.