A legal team headed by, AB Mahmud (SAN) has challenged the arrest of the dethroned Muhammadu Sanusi II by the Kano state government, writes to the Police, DSS and the Attorney General of the federation calling for his immediate release to be united with his family.
The Lawyer who received instruction from Emir Sanusi made a press briefing in Kano demanding the release of the dethroned Emir saying it is an infringement on his Fundamental Human Right and personal liberty to be detained.
His statement which partly reads; “We are of the firm view that this action is illegal and unconstitutional.
Section 35 of our constitution guarantees every citizen the right to personal liberty, and the basis for the denial of personal liberty are set out clearly in this section of the constitution and none applies to the case of the Emir Sanusi”, he added.
The lead lawyer noted that the barbaric and archaic practise of banishment of deposed Emirs, a colonial practice has no place in Nigerian law or the constitution.
He added,” We are totally perplexed at the resort to this practice in present-day Nigeria by its political leaders, this is because the illegality of this practice was pronounced by the Nigeria Court of Appeal in Attorney General Kebbi State Vs HRH Alhaji All Mustapha Jakolo and others 2013 LPELR 22349/CA where the Court pronounced it as illegal and unconstitutional and gross violation of the right of the Emir.
The senior lawyer, therefore, called on the authorities especially, the Inspector General of Police, the Director-General of the DSS and the Attorney General of the Federation to as a matter of urgency ensure the release of the dethroned Emir Muhammadu Sanusi to unite with his family.
According to him, being his counsel, they are concern with his safety and personal security, calling on the well-meaning Nigerians and the International community to safeguard the sanctity of the Nigerian constitution and secure his release.
He threatened to take legal action failure of the Kano state government to release their client.