The Court of Appeal in Abuja has overturned a Kano State High Court ruling that barred Aminu Ado-Bayero, the 15th Emir of Kano, and four dethroned emirs from Bichi, Rano, Gaya, and Karaye from parading themselves as traditional rulers.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, a three-member panel led by Justice Mohammed Mustapha nullified the lower court’s July 15, 2024, decision, citing violations of fair hearing principles.

The appellate court directed the Chief Judge of the Kano State High Court to reassign the case to a new judge for fresh consideration. Justice Mustapha noted that the initial ruling was fundamentally flawed, with procedural and substantive breaches that compromised the integrity of the judicial process.

“The lower court’s decision undermined the principles of fairness and impartiality essential to the credibility of the judicial system,” the panel stated.