A Federal High Court in Abuja has declared the banishment of the deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi to Awe, a remote community in Nasarawa State as illegal, unlawful and unconstitutional,
The court presided by Justice Anwuli Chikere claimed that the restrictions placed on Sanusi after his deposition on March 9, 2020, on allegations of insubordination are a clear arbitrary violation of his right to freedom of movement and personal liberty granted by the Nigerian constitution.
Justice Chikere agreed with counsel to Sanusi, Prince Lateef Fagbemi SAN, who claimed that his client was moved out of Kano to Abuja and later to Awe, in Nasarawa State against his wish.
Also the right to freedom of liberty and personal dignity granted under Section 34 of Nigeria’s constitution cannot be taken away as done by the Kano Government, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) except with express order of the court.
She aslo awarded a N10 million fine against the respondents and ordered them to tender a public apology to Sanusi which must be published in two major national dailies for the embarrassment they caused him