The Kebbi State government has again lost an appeal against Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo, the deposed Emir of Gwandu.
The appeal, filed by the state government along with 12 others, challenged a lower court’s ruling, which found that Jokolo’s fundamental rights were violated in his dethronement process.
In a unanimous decision delivered by Justice Ebiowei Tobi on Monday, the appellate court ruled that the appeal lacked merit and upheld the original judgment in favor of the former emir.
Justice Tobi stated that the lower court’s ruling was based on Kebbi State’s Chiefs Appointment and Deposition Law, concluding that the former emir had not been given a fair hearing.
“I reviewed the lower court’s decision and found it did not rely on witness testimonies as claimed by the appellants but strictly on the Chiefs Appointment and Deposition Law of Kebbi State.
“The appeal is without merit and is, therefore, dismissed, reaffirming Justice Abbas’s earlier judgment,” Justice Tobi explained.
This is the second time the appellate court has ruled in favor of Jokolo in matters related to his deposition.
The lead counsel for the appellants, Mr. Yakubu Maikyau, expressed gratitude for the judgment but noted that the state government plans to take the case to the Supreme Court.
