The Kano state government has dethroned Emir of Kano, Malam Muhammadu Sanusi ll on Monday over disrespect to the office of the governor and other government agencies.

Malam Muhammadu Sanusi ll, who was named the new emir of Kano in June 2014, spent 5 years, 6 months and 26 days on the throne.

Before his appointment as the emir, Sanusi ll served as the central bank governor. He raised accusations of high-level fraud and corruption within the Nigeria’s petroleum industry, alleging that $20bn (£12bn) in oil revenue was missing.

The governor of the state has been at loggerhead with Emir Sanusi II, leading to the creation of additional four new emirates in the state and several probes by both the state lawmakers and Kano anti-graft commission.

It was learnt that security operatives arrested Emir of Kano Muhammad Sanusi II and whisked him out of the ancient city amidst tight security, they are heading to Nassarawa state where Sanusi will spend the rest of his life in asylum.

Before he was taken away, Sanusi was said to have been put under house arrest by the heavy security personnel of DSS, Police and Military.

The arrest was after the security operatives sealed off the Palace.

READ ALSO:

Buhari Approves Appointment of Ochei As Executive Director, NIMASA

Government House hinted that Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, who is presiding over an emergency Executive Council Meeting, is set to announce the new emir any moment.

However, Elders of Kano state under the auspices of Advocates for a United Kano have condemned the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano.

In a statement signed on Monday, March 9, the chairman of the elders’ group, Bashir Othman-Tofa described the dethronement as sad, unfortunate and illegal. 

The statement reads in part: “The advocates call on all Kanawa and residents of Kano state and beyond to stay calm, and not to resort to any violent reaction whatsoever. Violence is no solution to anything, for no one can predict where it may lead to”.

The group, vowed to challenge the case in court. “In particular we have vowed to sustain our judicial challenge to the unlawful law passed by the Kano House of Assembly under which the governor purportedly removed the Emir,” the group said.

It was gathered that the Kano State government dethroned Sanusi Lamido over alleged insubordination, refusal to attend official meetings and breach of Kano Emirate Law.