Zazzau Prince urges court to declare him Emir

From AbdulGafar Alabelewe, Kaduna

Zazzau prince, Alhaji Bashir Aminu yesterday rejected the appointment of Ambassador Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as the new emir.

He has dragged the Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, Emir Bamalli and the kingmakers to court over the appointment.

Aminu is praying the Kaduna State High Court to set aside Emir Bamalli’s appointment and declare him the duly elected 19th emir.

In the suit, Aminu, who holds the title of Iyan Zazzau, said: “Having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast by the kingmakers and thus selected by the said kingmakers, I have acquired a vested right to the stool of the Emir of Zazzau from the date of his selection henceforth.”

The kingmakers shortlisted three candidates; Aminu scored 89; Munir Jafaru, who is Yariman Zazzau and; Aminu Shehu Idris, who is Turakin Karamin Zazzau scored 87 and 53 respectively.

El-Rufai had allegedly jettisoned the initial recommendation of the kingmakers and ordered a fresh process where 13 princes were screened by the kingmakers.

It was also alleged that the governor intended to favour Bamalli.

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Defendants in the suit are El-Rufai; Attorney-General of Kaduna State; Kaduna State Council of Chiefs; Zazzau Emirate Council; Wazirin Zazzau, Ibrahim Aminu; Fagachin Zazzau, Umaru Muhammad; Mohammad Abbas, Makama Karamin Zazzau; Dalhatu Kasimu Imam, Limamin Juma’an Zazzau; Mohammad Sani Aliyu, Limamin Konan Zazzau; and Emir Bamalli.

Aminu’s prayers include: “A declaration that the plaintiff is the Emir of Zazzau and is entitled to all rights and privileges pertaining thereto.

“An injunction restraining the 1st,2nd,3rd and 4th defendants from acting in the installation of the 10th defendant to the throne of the Emir of Zazzau or presenting to the 10th defendant with the staff of office until the final determination of this suit;

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants either by themselves, agents, privies, servants or through any person or persons howsoever from treating, presenting or dealing with or installing the 10th defendant as the Emir of Zazzau;

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 10th defendant from parading, presenting or styling himself as the Emir of Zazzau or from putting on or wearing any paraphernalia or insignia of the Emir of Zazzau.”

“An order of perpetual injunction restraining the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th defendants from dealing with, treating, presenting, or dealing with installing the 10th defendant as the Emir of Zazzau or handing over to him the staff of office of the Emir of Zazzau.”