Court Sacks Popular Nigerian Emir

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A High Court sitting in Minna, Niger State has sacked Alhaji Mohammed Barau Kontagora as the 7th Emir (Sarkin Sudan) of the Kontagora Emirate.

This online news platform understands that the order followed the hearing of an ex parte motion brought before the court by 15 contestants for the throne.The sacked Emir, Mohammed Barau Kontagora; the Attorney General of Niger State; and the Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development and Chieftaincy Affairs, were the defendants in the motion.

The first defendant, Mohammed Barau Kontagora was restrained by Justice Abdullahi Mikailu from parading himself as the 7th Emir “pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiff/applicants’ Motion on notice dated and filed on 11/10/2021.”“An order of interim injunction is hereby made and issued retraining all the defendants/respondents, their agents, privies and/or any other person by whatever name called acting on the authorities or persons claiming and/or parading or presenting or installing the 1st defendant by presenting a staff of office as the 7th Sarkin Sudan of Kontagora pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiffs/applicants’ motion on notice dated and filed on 11/10/2022,” the court ruled.The counsel for the plaintiffs, W. Y. Mamman Esq, had urged the court to restrain Barau from parading himself as the 7th Emir.

The case has been adjourned till October 20, 2022.

Governor Abubakar Sani-Bello of Niger had appointed Alhaji Mohammed Barau Kontagora as the 7th Emir of Kontagora.Mr Emmanuel Umar, the state Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, announced this during a press conference at the Government House in Minna.

According to NAN, the appointment followed the demise of 84-year-old Sa’idu Namaska in September.

Umar explained that the selection of the 7th Emir (Sarkin Sudan) of Kontagora was held on September 19, 2021, in Kontagora.

He said selection was done by the kingmakers of the Kontagora Emirate in line with the Customary Laws and Practice of the Kontagora Emirate.

The commissioner said after the selection, aggrieved contestants petitioned the governor, alleging some irregularities in the selection process.

He said in response to the petition, the governor, acting on section 3(2) and 7 of the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law of Niger State 1989 (as revised), held meetings with the kingmakers and also consulted the State Council of Chiefs.

Umar explained that the kingmakers, during their interaction with the governor, affirmed that the selection followed the Customary Law of Kontagora Emirate and their decision was based on their own conviction without any undue influence.

He noted that the governor, thereafter acted under section 3 subsection (1) of the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law Chapter 19, Law of Niger State 1989 (as revised) and all other powers conferred on him and appointed Mohammed Barau Kontagora as the 7th Emir of Kontagora.