The High Court, sitting in Sokoto, has issued an order restraining Sokoto State Governor, Ahmed Aliyu from sacking two traditional rulers, Buhari Tambuwal and Abubakar Kassim, the District Heads of Tambuwal and Kebbe respectively. The court’s decision comes amidst the controversy surrounding the proposed traditional institution law in Sokoto State.
Justice Kabiru Ahmed, the presiding judge, directed the governor, his Attorney General, and the Sokoto Sultanate Council to maintain the status quo and revert to the previous state of affairs pending the determination of the suit filed by the complainants. The court ordered all actions related to the removal and dethronement of the district heads to be stayed, particularly those of Kebbe and Tambuwal.
The legal action was taken by the affected district heads, who were represented by Ibrahim Abdullahi (SAN), alleging insubordination and aiding insecurity in the state. The development follows claims by a religious organization, Muslims Rights Concern (MURIC), of a plot to dethrone the Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, which the state government has denied.