The Kano State High Court, under the leadership of Chief Judge Justice Dije Aboki, has postponed its ruling on a critical application aimed at preventing the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, from initiating renovations on the historic Nasarawa mini palace.
The court has scheduled October 10, 2024, for the ruling.
The plaintiffs in the case, including the Kano State Government, the state’s Attorney General, and the Kano Emirate Council, are seeking to protect the existing structure and cultural heritage of the palace, opposing any modernisation efforts. Emir Bayero is named as the sole defendant.
During the hearing, the plaintiffs’ counsel, Habib Akilu, highlighted the absence of the defendant’s legal representation. “The substantive application is ripe for hearing,” Akilu stated, proceeding to request an interlocutory injunction to prevent the Emir from “reconstructing, demolishing, or altering the face of the mini palace” until a final judgment is made.
In response, Justice Aboki set October 10 for the ruling and instructed that all relevant court documents be posted on the court’s notice board to ensure that all parties are informed about the proceedings.
The plaintiffs previously secured an interim injunction on September 13, 2024, halting any renovation work after a prototype plan for modernisation was proposed. This injunction followed a motion ex parte filed by the plaintiffs’ lead counsel, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Rilwanu Umar, on September 12.
Supporting the motion was a 33-paragraph affidavit from Matawallen Kano, Ibrahim Ahmed, who argued that altering the palace would compromise its historical value and cultural significance. “The Nasarawa mini palace is a symbol of our heritage,” Ahmed emphasized. “Modernisation, especially in the form of the proposed renovations, would erase the architectural essence and historical integrity that this palace represents.”
The court has previously mandated all parties to uphold the structural and architectural integrity of the palace until a final decision is reached.
