The Iyan Zazzau, Bashir Aminu, has dragged the Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai, to court for appointing Ahmed Nuhu-Bamalli as the new Emir of Zazzau, succeeding Dr. Shehu Idris who died on September 20.
In a suit filed before the Kaduna State High Court on Monday, Mr Aminu sought the court to declare that, “having scored the highest number of lawful votes cast by the kingmakers and thus selected by the said kingmakers, he has thus acquired vested right to the stool of the Emir of Zazzau from the date of his selection henceforth”.
Recall that on September 25, the Zazzau Emirate kingmakers, chaired by the Wazirin Zazzau, Ibrahim Aminu, had forwarded a list of three shortlisted princes to Governor El-Rufai for his consideration and appointment of a new Emir.
The shortlisted candidates were Bashir Aminu, Iyan Zazzau who scored 89 marks; Munir Jafaru, Yariman Zazzau who got 87 marks and; Aminu Shehu Idris, Turakin Karamin Zazzau who got 53 marks.
The three candidates were selected from applications received by the kingmakers from 11 princes from all the four ruling houses of the emirate to succeed the late emir.
However, the governor on October 1, dissolved the list earlier submitted by the kingmakers.
According to him, the kingmakers were not fair to other contenders and insisted all aspirants should be given the chance to contest.
The Secretary to the State Government, Balarabe Lawal, had explained that the state government had directed a new round of selection process, following the cancellation of the initial process, which excluded two interested applicants.
The governor, thereafter, appointed Mr Nuhu-Bamalli as the new emir, jettisoning the recommendation of the Zazzau kingmakers.
in a copy of the suit obtained by DAILY NIGERIAN, the plaintiff joined Governor Nasir 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; Amb. Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli as 1st, 2nd ,3rd, 4th,5th, 6th, 7th, 8th,9th, and 10th defendants in the suit.
The suit sought: “A declaration that the plaintiff is still the Emir of Zazzau and is entitled to all rights and privillages pertaining thereto.
“An order setting aside the purported appointment of the 10th defendant (Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli) as the Emir of Zazzau;
“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 setting aside the purported appointment of the 10th defendant (Ambassador Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli) as the Emir of Zazzau;
“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 injuction 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.”
