Nation
Emirship Tussle: Ado-Bayero’s Counsels Withdraw Legal Services
Mr Abdul Muhammed and other counsel to the 15th Emir of Kano, Aminu Ado-Bayero, in the ongoing Kano Emirship tussle, have withdrawn their legal services before the State High Court.
The applicants in the matter—the Attorney General of Kano State, the Speaker of Kano State House of Assembly and Kano State House of Assembly, through their counsel, Ibrahim Isah-Wangida, filed a motion ex parte on May 27, seeking the court to restrain Aminu Ado-Bayero, and four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.
The respondents are Alhaji Aminu Ado-Bayero; Alhaji Nasiru Ado-Bayero, Emir of Bichi; Dr Ibrahim Abubakar II, Emir of Karaye; Alhaji Kabiru Muhammad-Inuwa, Emir of Rano; and Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim-Gaya, Emir of Gaya.
Others are the Inspector General of Police, Director of State Security Service, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigerian Army.
When the case came up for hearing, Muhammed, counsel to Ado-Bayero, informed the court that he had an affidavit of fact dated July 3, attached with a notice of appeal and a motion of stay of proceedings.
He urged the court to stay proceedings pending the hearing and determination of the motion at the appeal court.
“My Lord, we were served with the court processes this morning by the applicants,” he said.
He sought an adjournment to enable them to respond, but the court refused to grant his prayers.
“My Lord, myself and other counsels representing the first respondent apply for the withdrawal of our legal services and appearances,” he said.
Counsel to the 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents, Hassan Tanko-Kyaure, moved his application for an extension of time dated July 2 and counter-affidavit in response to the originating motion.
He urged the court to set aside the Kano State Emirates Council (Repeal) Law 2024, adding that due process was not followed.
Tanko-Kyaure also urged the court to dismiss the applicant’s application at a cost of N1 billion.
Counsel to the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Sunday Ekwe, told the court that he had nothing to present, adding that they left everything to the discretion of the court.
Responding as counsel to the applicant, Mr Eyitayo Fatogun urged the court to discountenance the respondent’s affidavit of facts according to Order 39 Rules 1 and 2 of the Court.
“The motion refers to a proposed notice of appeal, not a notice of appeal. It shows that the affidavit of facts is just to delay the proceedings. My Lord, the business of today is the hearing of all pending applications.”
Fatogun urged the court to dismiss the third, fourth and fifth respondents’ applications on the issue of the Kano Emirate Repeal Law because the issue is not before the court.
Earlier, while delivering a ruling, Justice Amina Adamu-Aliyu, refused the application for a stay of proceedings filed by the respondent.
“The respondent did not disclose any special fact to warrant any stay of proceedings,” Adamu-Aliyu said.
The judge adjourned the matter until July 18, to rule on the application for extension of time, notice of preliminary objection, setting aside ex parte order, joinder application, and judge to recuse herself, among others.
The court on May 27, granted an order of interim injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th respondents themselves, servants, and privies, from parading themselves as emirs in the interest of peace in Kano.
On May 23, the Kano State House of Assembly dissolved the state’s four newly created emirate councils. Governor Abba Kabir-Yusuf reappointed Lamido Sanusi as the Emir of Kano.
The Rivers State Commissioner for Education, Dr. Peters Nwagor, has commended the orderly conduct of the ongoing 2026 West African Senior School Certificate Examination in the state and urged schools to sustain the standard.
Dr. Nwagor gave the commendation on Tuesday during a monitoring tour of selected secondary schools in Port Harcourt and environs where the WAEC exam is ongoing.
The commissioner, who was accompanied by directors and monitors from the Ministry of Education, said he was impressed with the peaceful atmosphere at the centres visited.
“The students conducted themselves properly and wrote their papers under conducive conditions. Invigilators and supervisors also performed their duties professionally,” he stated.
Nwagor noted that the Rivers State Government had invested heavily to ensure the smooth and credible conduct of the examination across the state
He urged candidates to reciprocate government’s effort by shunning all forms of examination malpractice and focusing on their studies.
“Government has done so much to ensure successful examinations in our schools. Students should take advantage of it by remaining focused,” the commissioner said.
While no case of malpractice was recorded in the centres inspected, Dr. Nwagor warned that any principal, teacher, invigilator, or official caught aiding malpractice would face strict sanctions in line with regulations.
He also commended school administrators, teachers, WAEC officials, and security personnel for upholding the integrity of the process.
Centres visited included County Grammar School, Ikwerre/Etche; Government Comprehensive Secondary School, Borokiri; Government Secondary School, Borokiri; and Pabod Model Secondary School.
Rivers State University and the Otonti Nduka Foundation for Values Education jointly hosted a two-day National Conference on 8 and 9 May 2026 to examine the state of values in Nigeria.
The two days conference held at Rivers State University convocation arena brought together academics, policymakers, legal experts and education leaders under the theme _“Trends and Challenges in Upholding Values in Nigeria.”_
The gathering focused on policy gaps, curriculum reform, and the role of ethics in public service and education.
The event opened on Friday with remarks from Vice Chancellor Prof. Chief Isaac Zeb-Obipi, who stressed the need to address declining moral and civic values across Nigeria’s education and public sectors. A book of abstracts for the plenary sessions was also presented to participants.
Key speakers included former Attorney General Chief Dr Kanu Agabi, SAN; NERDC Executive Secretary Prof. Shehu Salisu; Prof. Hauwa Imam, FNAE, of the University of Abuja; former Rivers SUBEB Chairman Ven Dr Fyneface Akah, ; former NIMASA DG Dr Hon. Dakuku Adol-Peterside; and RSU Director of ICT Prof. Sunny Orike.
Discussions centered on integrating values education into schools, tertiary institutions and public institutions, alongside the impact of technology on moral development among young Nigerians. Panel and plenary sessions produced practical recommendations for curriculum and policy reform.
On Saturday, the foundation marked its centenary with the unveiling of the book _Otonti Nduka in History_, launched by Chief Engr. Grant Offor, FNSE. The Nigerian Academy of Education held a ceremonial procession led by its President Prof. Olu Jegede and the Ikwerre Professors Forum.
In a communiqué, participants called for stronger collaboration between government, civil society and academia to mainstream values education nationwide. They recommended reviewing teacher training curricula and expanding digital platforms to promote ethical civic engagement, with the foundation pledging to share the outcomes with education authorities for implementation.
Dignitaries present included Ogbakor Ikwerre Worldwide as Chief Host, Prof. Emeritus Chief T. Uzodimma Nwala, the Ikenga 1 of Mbaise and first philosophy student of Prof. Otonti Nduka, alongside scholars and community leaders.
Amadi Akujobi
