The banishment of the deposed Emir of Kano, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, have been declared as unconstitutional and unlawful.

Sanusi was banished to Awe, a remote village in Nassarawa state in 2020 on alleged insubordination.

Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court in Abuja held that Sanusi’s banishment was a violation to his fundamental human right of freedom of movement and personal liberty.

The counsel representing Sanusi, Prince Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), had told the court that his client was moved out of Kano to Abuja and later to Awe, in Nasarawa State against his wish.

Justice Chikere in her ruling, further held that the right to freedom of liberty and personal dignity granted under Section 34 of Nigeria’s constitution cannot be taken away as done by the Kano Government, Police, Department of State Services (DSS), and Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) except with express order of the court.

A sum of N10 million compensation was awarded to Sanusi as damages to be paid to him by the respondents.

The court also issued an order directing the respondents to tender a public apology to Sanusi which is to be published in two major national dailies for the embarrassment caused him by breaching his fundamental human rights.