The Court of Appeal in Sokoto has upheld the nullification of Alhaji Almustapha Haruna Jakolo’s dethronement as the 19th Emir of Gwandu. Justice Ebiowei Tobi reaffirmed the earlier judgment, dismissing Kebbi State Government’s appeal for lack of merit. The court ruled that Jakolo’s deposition was contrary to the law and that due process was not followed.
Jakolo was dethroned in June 2005 by former Governor Muhammadu Adamu Aliero, who cited allegations of misguided statements, poor relationships with other traditional rulers, and abandoning his throne for Kaduna. However, the court declared Jakolo’s dethronement null and void, as he was not given a fair chance to respond to the allegations.
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This marks another milestone in Jakolo’s struggle for justice, with his counsel, Barrister Pascal C. Onyetobi, expressing optimism about the Supreme Court’s final ruling. Meanwhile, Kebbi State Government’s counsel, Barrister Maikyau SAN, plans to study the judgment and potentially appeal to the Supreme Court.
The case has significant implications for the rights of traditional rulers and the rule of law in Nigeria. Jakolo, a former military officer and aide-de-camp to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, had been Emir of Gwandu since 1995.
His dethronement and subsequent legal battles have sparked controversy and debate.