Ganduje was the accuser, prosecutor, witness and judge against Sanusi - Falana

Femi Falana

Human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, SAN, has reacted to the dethronement of Muhammadu Sanusi II as the Emir of Kano by the Kano State Government led by Governor Abdullahi Ganduje.

Speaking to Arise News, Falana stated that Sanusi was not given a fair hearing and that the government didn't point out any violation of the law on the part of the dethroned Emir.

Falana also accused Ganduje of playing the role of the accuser, prosecutor, witness and judge in the dethronement of Sanusi as Emir.

He said: "Sanusi is not a member of the armed forces where insubordination is regarded as a crime. As a first-class traditional ruler, if he had committed any offence known to law, it would have been brought to his attention and then he would have been expected to defend himself.

"What happened yesterday was a charade, a situation whereby within the space of five minutes the governor presided over a meeting where he accused the Emir of insubordination and disrespect to constituted authority, i.e himself the governor.

"So the governor became the accuser, the prosecutor, the witness and the judge at the same time, and without pretending to give the Emir a right of fair hearing he announced his removal. That is totally alien to our law, our jurisprudence and our constitution.

"It's specifically made clear in our constitution that nobody shall be punished for an offence that is not defined by law. The Kano State Government has not pointed to any section of the law that Sanusi was alleged to have violated".