TheCable

A federal high court sitting in Kano has fixed February 20, 2020, to rule in a suit filed by Muhammadu Sanusi II, emir of Kano, against Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission.

The agency had in its interim report on an investigation of Kano emirate council finances, recommended that Sanusi be suspended pending completion of the investigation of alleged misappropriation.

The agency had said it uncovered that N3.4 billion was misspent under Sanusi between 2014 and 2017.

However, Saida Suraj, counsel to Sanusi, asked the court for enforcement of fundamental human rights, arguing that the action of the commission amounted to a condemnation of the emir without giving him a fair hearing.

But Sylvester Shikyil, counsel for the public complaints and anti-corruption commission,  countered that the suit is not a fundamental human rights issue and that the commission is conducting an investigation based on its statutory powers.

He argued that the affidavit deposed to the court by one Munnir Sanusi on the emir’s behalf is not competent, arguing that the court lacks jurisdiction as the matter is for the national industrial court to decide.

After hearing the arguments of both parties, Obiorah Egwuatu, the presiding judge, adjourned the matter and fixed February 20, 2020 for ruling.