Court fixes Oct 27 for Iyan Zazzau’s case against Emir Bamalli’s appointment

A Kaduna State High Court sitting in Dogarawa, Sabon Gari, Zaria under Justice Kabir Dabo on Monday began hearing of a suit filed by Iyan Zazzau, Alhaji Bashar Aminu, challenging the appointment of the new emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli.

Ambassador Bamalli was appointed the 19th emir of Zazzau by the Kaduna state governor, Nasir El-rufai, on 7th October, 2020 after the demise of the former emir, Alhaji Shehu Idris on September 20, 2020.

• Appointment of the Emir of Zazzau and thereafter
• Legal challenge against Emir of Zazzau appointment goes to court

The Selection Tussle

After receiving applications from interested princes, the five kingmakers under the chairmanship of the Wazirin Zazzau, Alhaji Ibrahim Aminu, recommended the Iyan Zazzau and two others, Alhaji Munir Jafaru, Yariman Zazzau, and Alhaji Aminu Shehu Idris, Turakin Zazzau, to the governor for the appointment of one as the emir.

However, the governor jettisoned the recommendation of the kingmakers and ordered for fresh selection process where the name of Ambassador Bamalli was subsequently included.

The counsel to the plaintiff, Yunus Ustza (SAN), represented by Barrister Samuel Atum, said on Mondat after the court sitting that the appointment of Ambassador Bamalli violates the Zazzau Native Law and Custom.

He added: “We filed a suit on behalf of the Iyan Zazzau, Alhaji Bashar Aminu, challenging the appointment of the emir of Zazzau by the Kaduna state governor. Our suit is predicated on the fact that the Zazzau emirate is the one that evolved under the Zazzau Native Law and Custom. Therefore, any valid appointment of an emir must be based on the Zazzau Native Law and Custom.

“However, the recent appointment, as far as we are concerned, was not done in accordance to the Native Law and Custom. This was why we are in court to challenge the appointment. We brought a motion ex parte, but the court is of the view that the dependants be put on notice and adjourned to 27th of this month for hearing on the motion on notice.”

According to him, the court ordered that the parties should maintain the status quo and not do anything that would be prejudice or pre-emptive to the outcome of the motion on notice.

He said the defendants are 11 in number that include the governor, Nasir El-rufai, Secretary to the State Government, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, the five kingmakers and the newly appointed emir among others.