The detention of the ousted Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, to Awe, a distant hamlet in Nasarawa State, was pronounced unlawful and unconstitutional by Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday.
Sanusi’s limits imposed during his deposition on claims of insubordination on March 9, 2020, were found to be in violation of his Nigerian constitution-guaranteed right to freedom of movement and personal liberty.
Sanusi’s lawyer, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), concurred with Justice Chikere that his client was relocated from Kano to Abuja and then to Awe, Nasarawa State, against his will.
She also ruled that the right to liberty and personal dignity guaranteed by Nigeria’s constitution, as exercised by the Kano government, police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), may only be taken away by express court order.
Sanusi’s arrest, harassment, and exile to Abuja and then Nasarawa State was later overturned by the judge because it was an infringement of his fundamental human rights.
The former Emir was granted N10 million in damages, which the respondents must pay him.
The court also issued an order for the respondents to issue a public apology to Sanusi for the shame he has suffered as a result of the respondents’ violation of his fundamental human rights, which would be published in two prominent national dailies.
