A Kano State High Court has once again issued an order restraining the 15th Emir of Kano, Alhaji Aminu Ado Bayero, from renovating the Nassarawa Mini Palace.

The ruling was delivered on Thursday following an ex-parte motion filed by the Kano State Government, the Attorney General of Kano, and the Kano Emirate Council, through their counsel Rilwanu Umar SAN.

The motion was dated September 12, 2024.

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The applicants sought a court order to halt Emir Ado Bayero’s renovation efforts at the mini palace.

In her ruling, the presiding judge and Chief Judge of Kano State, Justice Dije Abdu Aboki, found the application meritorious and granted the interlocutory injunction.

She noted that the respondent had not filed any counter affidavit or written argument opposing the application.

“It is pertinent to note that the respondent filed no counter affidavit nor written address challenging the applicant,” Justice Aboki stated before referring the case to High Court 15 for further mention.

Earlier, the applicants’ counsel, Rabiu Ibrahim-Yaura, informed the court that Emir Ado Bayero had been deposed under the Kano State Emirate Council Repeal Law of 2024.

Despite being served with the court papers on September 14, the respondent did not submit any defense or appear in court.

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The applicants also asked the court to declare the Nassarawa Mini Palace as property belonging to the Kano State Government and the Emirate Council, and not a personal property of the Emir.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has upheld a Federal High Court ruling that invalidated the N800 billion budget passed by the Edison Ehie-led faction of the Rivers State House of Assembly.

On Thursday, the appellate court dismissed an appeal filed by Governor Siminalayi Fubara, stating that it lacked merit.

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The court noted that Governor Fubara had previously withdrawn his counter-affidavit in the lower court, which barred him from initiating an appeal in a case he did not contest during the trial.

It emphasized the importance of adhering to the rule of law rather than exercising power arbitrarily.

Additionally, the court criticized the current situation in the Rivers State House of Assembly, describing it as a case of “executive dictatorship” by the governor, characterizing the circumstances as a joke taken too far.

Former Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has voiced his frustration over the public’s lack of action in response to the ongoing economic hardships in Nigeria.

In an interview with ABN TV, the former Rivers State governor expressed his anger at the apparent silence of citizens despite rising costs and difficulties in affording basic needs like fuel.

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“I’m angry with the citizens. I have said it several times. You can see a group of people stealing your money, impoverishing you, you cannot buy fuel and anything,” Amaechi said.

He also highlighted the ongoing political campaigns in Edo State, questioning their relevance in the midst of widespread economic struggles.

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“Look at what happened in Edo State. Should any politician be campaigning in Edo?” he asked, suggesting that citizens should be more vocal and take a stand against politicians. “The people should be angry. There should be protests. Not even protests against anybody but against the politicians that ‘we won’t vote’. There won’t be any election in our state.”

Amaechi urged Nigerians to send a strong message by refraining from participating in elections until their basic needs are addressed.

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“That is what people should be saying. The rate of hunger now… if people like us cannot afford diesel, you can imagine what is happening to those who do not have children like us,” he added.

In a pointed remark on the worsening economic situation, he said, “Somebody said what this government has achieved is that it has made Nigerians to be strong in the sense that Nigerians now trek.”

With a touch of irony, he added, “And you know walking helps the heart.”

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While expressing his frustration with the current state of affairs, Amaechi refrained from making any direct political statements, concluding, “I am not interested in politics…I will discuss politics at the right time.”

The Senate has directed state governors and Houses of Assembly to comply with the Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy, particularly in relation to the financial independence of the 774 local councils in Nigeria.

This follows a closed-door session held on Wednesday, where senators debated efforts by some state governments to obstruct the enforcement of the July 11 ruling.

Deputy Senate President, Barau Jibrin, announced the resolutions after the session, emphasizing the Senate’s plan to amend sections of the 1999 Constitution to provide full autonomy to local government administrations across the country.

The Supreme Court ruling, which granted local governments autonomy, was delivered after the federal government, through the Minister of Justice and Attorney General, filed a suit.

The judgement is intended to liberate local councils from financial dependence on state governments.

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Senator Tony Nwoye (LP, Anambra North), during the plenary, raised concerns under Senate orders 41 and 51, alleging that some state governors were influencing state Assemblies to pass laws that would require local governments to continue remitting funds into a joint state/local government account, in violation of the Supreme Court’s judgement. Nwoye’s motion was co-sponsored by 10 other senators.

However, Senator Adamu Aliero (PDP, Kebbi Central) countered that the Supreme Court ruling was enforceable nationwide and urged the Senate not to deliberate on the matter, citing the constitution.

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio echoed Aliero’s point, referencing Section 162 (6) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that the Supreme Court’s ruling should be upheld.

The debate eventually led to the emergency closed-door session, after which the Senate called on all state governments and legislative bodies to respect the Supreme Court’s decision.

Additionally, the Senate resolved to pursue constitutional amendments to guarantee the financial autonomy of local governments, ensuring they are no longer reliant on state authorities for funding.