Kano Emir: Ribadu threatens to sue Kano dep gov for ‘defamation’

The National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, has threatened to file a ‘defamation suit’ against the Kano State deputy governor, Aminu Gwarzo over his accusation in the ongoing Emirship tussle in Kano.

Gwarzo, in a short video interview at the Emir’s palace in Gidan Rumfa on Saturday, had accused the NSA of facilitating the return of the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado Bayero, after he (Bayero) was deposed from the position.

He said, “The National Security Adviser gave two jets to bring the dethroned emir to Kano and to bring him to the place. We have not understood their intention.”

However, despite denying the allegation on Saturday through his spokesperson, Zakari Mijinyawa, the NSA, in a letter as quoted by Daily Trust, through his lawyers, Aliyu & Musa Chambers, demanded an apology from Gwarzo.

The lawyers noted that while Ribadu had never been accused of any wrongdoing, he had been receiving a “barrage of telephone calls both within and outside Nigeria” over the “false accusation.”

The letter read partly, “We act as solicitors to Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, who presently occupies the exalted position of the National Security Adviser (“our client”) and on whose instruction we write this letter.

“The attention of our client was drawn to a video clip being shared on different social media platforms wherein you granted an interview at Emir’s Palace in Kano on Saturday, the 25th day of May 2024, in a very calm atmosphere, and without any provocation whatsoever, falsely accusing our client of using his office to kill the people of Kano State and maim their properties. In the clip, you were shown to be talking in Hausa.

“Your false accusations against our client portraying his office as an appendage of a political party and a willing tool to cause chaos in Kano is false and done with the intention of damaging the hard-earned reputation of our client in the eyes of the right-thinking members of the society and indeed it has succeeded in doing so.”

The NSA’s lawyers stated that the deputy governor should provide substantial evidence to back his claims but without such, should, within 24 hours, retract his accusation and tender a public apology.

It added that failure to do so, their client – Ribadu, would be “compelled to seek redress in a court of law.”

The letter read further, “In all the places he has served, our client has never been accused of any wrongdoing. Given this illustrious background, it is inconceivable that someone would harbour the thought that our client would descend his exalted office so low as to interfere in the local tussle of the Kano Emirate.

“The wide coverage you gave your interview has caused serious embarrassment to our client and his family. Since the publication, our client has been receiving a barrage of telephone calls both within and outside Nigeria from friends and associates who felt disappointed in him because of the false allegation from a person occupying the office of Deputy Governor of Kano State. Our client and his office take your allegations seriously and by this letter, our client is demanding that you provide irrefutable evidence to substantiate your claims.

“If you have no proof, our client demands you to within 24 hours: retract the libellous allegation in a similar manner you made it as well as give it wide media circulation” and “issue a public apology in five National dailies with wide national coverage and on popular online platforms. Note that if you fail to do so, our client will be compelled to seek redress in a court of law.”

The claim to the throne of the Kano Emir, in the past few days, has gained momentum among concerned citizens and stakeholders nationwide.

The former governor of the state, Abdullahi Ganduje had dethroned Muhammadu Sanusi II (then as the 14th Emir) in 2020 after a fallout between the duo.

He then appointed Bayero as the 15th Emir of Kano, to succeed Sanusi. Afterwards, the Emirate was divided into five, including Kano.

However, incumbent governor, Yusuf signed the Kano State Emirate Council (Repeal) Bill 2024 into law.

In effect, this repealed the 2019 version of the Ganduje administration that divided the ancient Kano Emirate into five. Hence, the reinstatement of Sanusi on Friday at the Government House in Kano as the 16th Emir, marking his return four years after he was dethroned.

Yusuf had directed all the five Emirs, including Bayero, to hand over to his deputy, Gwarzo, who is also the Commissioner of Chieftaincy Affairs.