Gov GandujeViolated Emir Sanusi’s Rights

ILawyers and the Rule of Law

f there is anything that unites Lawyers, it is the rule of law. As custodians of the law, there is no room for compromise. It is more so, in the area of human rights. Every Lawyer is challenged and fired up where human rights’ issues are involved. Like their counterparts in the Medical profession whose matrix and first call is to save lives, the Lawyers` first and most important assignment is the protection of human rights. It was therefore, not surprising that Nigerian Lawyers aligned their tools and tentacles with other organisations in readiness for war with the Kano State Government, over the alleged banishment of the former Emir of Kano by the government, following his removal from the throne.

The news of his removal, though shocking, was not unexpected. The announcement opened a new horizon of discussions, in a nation whose citizens are never shocked any longer. Like bees in a hive, every aspect of the media was swarmed for analysis and commentaries, by all and sundry. The Lawyers were not left to savour the pie of the moment, alone. Politicians joined the fray. Street urchins were not left out. The new social media, saw to it that their opinions were aired.

In the haystack of commentaries and opinions, there seems to be a consensus. This, of course, is more so amongst the men and women of the legal profession. The consensus is built around the issue of banishment. Given the act that empowers State Governors to remove or dethrone traditional rulers, the removal of Emir Sanusi may appear to have been perpetuated within the bounds of legality. However, according to our learned men, it was illegal and inappropriate for the Kano State government to have banished the Emir to Nasarawa.

Interestingly, the government seems to have walked back on the issue of banishment, even as a competent court has ordered that the Emir’s freedom and liberty, be restored.

My focus herein, is the issue of banishment. It is not unexpected for the Lawyers to examine every issue, from the prism of legality. My take is that, it is not so much about legality, but the concept of governance. What the legal profession fails to do here, is to look at the larger picture as it relates to security.