Kebbi High Court orders reinstatement of Almustapha Jokolo as Emir of Gwandu

The Kebbi High Court, on Thursday, ordered the reinstatement of Alhaji Almustapha Jokolo as Emir of Gwandu, nine years after he was removed. Jokolo had in 2006, challenged his removal by the state government, saying the government did not consult or inquired with kingmakers in the state. He then urged the High Court to reinstate him as emir, stressing that the state government did not follow due process. In his judgment on Thursday, Justice Abbas Ahman who presided over the case in Birnin Kebbi, reinstated Jokolo as Emir of Gwandu with effect from 2006. Ahman also directed the Kebbi State Government to release all entitlements due to Jokolo from when was deposed in 2006 till date. Justice Ahman said “as at now, there is no 20th Emir of Gwandu but the 19th, who is Alhaji Almustapha Jokolo, with effect from 2006.’’

He then advised the defendants to appeal the judgment within three months in a higher court.

Counsel to the reinstated emir, Mr Sylvester Imanobe, said the judgment was a representation of true justice. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that supporters of the reinstated emir expressed their feelings in a peaceful rally around the Birnin Kebbi High Court. However, the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Alhaji Garba Kamba, said the judgment would be appealed within three months as he called for calm on the matter.

He appealed to the people not to disrupt the peace and assured that government would not relent in ensuring that peace reigned in the state. (NAN)‎