Appeal Court dismisses suit challenging Emir of Zazzau’s appointment
By: Austine Agbo Emmanuel, Kaduna
Court of Appeal in Kaduna on Thursday, has dismissed the suit seeking the removal of the 19th Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli.
The legal dispute began when a former Zazzau Emirate kingmaker, Alhaji Ibrahim Mohammed Aminu, challenged the appointment of Emir Bamalli by former Kaduna State Governor, Mallam Nasir El-Rufai, in October 2020.
Aminu, who served as Wazirin Zazzau and was among those who participated in the selection process, alleged that due process was not followed in the Emir’s appointment and therefore approached the Kaduna State High Court, seeking the nullification of Bamalli’s appointment and his removal from office; a case that was struck out by the lower court.
Delivering judgment, the appellate court ruled that the case was statute-barred, meaning it was filed outside the legally permitted time frame.
The court also rejected the argument that the case should be treated as an exception, stating that it did not fall under any legal provisions that would warrant an extension of time.
Reacting to the judgment, Wazirin Zazzau, Khadi Muhammad Inuwa, who spoke on behalf of the Emirate, expressed satisfaction with the ruling, describing it as a victory for justice and a reaffirmation of the judiciary as the last hope of the common man.
On his part, counsel to the appellant, Muhammed Tajudeen Muhammed, noted that he would carefully review the judgment to determine the next line of action and advise his client accordingly.
Tajudeen maintained that his client had sought to prove that Emir Bamalli’s appointment violated extant laws and traditions but lamented that the court did not consider it an exception to the statute of limitations.
Meanwhile, Abdul Ibrahim (SAN), counsel to the Emir of Zazzau, welcomed the ruling, emphasizing that unlike the lower court, which merely struck out the case, the Court of Appeal went further to dismiss it entirely.
He described the judgment as a resounding validation of Emir Bamalli’s legitimacy and a testament to the rule of law.
