The deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammad Sanusi ll, was banished to Loko Local Government Area of Nasarawa State in line with tradition and for peace to reign in Kano.

The managing director of Kano Road Traffic Agency (KAROTA), Bappa Dan’agundi, said on Tuesday morning.

Mr Dan’agundi is the state government representative who accompanied the police to evict Mr Sanusi from the emir’s palace on Monday and moved him to Nasarawa State.

His presence at the palace on Monday drew a protest from some members of the royal family loyal to the deposed monarch.

According to Mr Dan’agundi, Mr Sanusi’s uncle and chief of staff, Munir Sanusi, and one domestic staff are staying with him on exile, while his family members have been taken to Lagos.

“As you know in our culture, whenever an emir was deposed, he is banished to another town. I look at it as a tradition or security reason. He is staying with his chief of staff, Munir Sanusi (Dan Buran of Kano) and domestic staff, while his family moved to Lagos while we were leaving Kano (Airport on Monday). We are just leaving the town (loko),” Mr Dan’agundi said.

Mr Sanusi’s grandfather, Muhammad Sanusi l, was also deposed in 1963 and banished to Azare town, now in Bauchi State. He was accused of misappropriation of Kano Native Authority’s funds. But the former governor of Kano State, Late Abubakar Rimi, brought him back to Wudil town where he died in the early 1990s.

However, a legal practitioner, Abubakar Yekini, has condemned the state government’s decision of banishing Mr Sanusi, describing it as unconstitutional.

He cited the case between Kebbi State government and the deposed Emir of Gwandu, Mustapha Jokolo, in which the court ruled against the government.

“The court ruled that the Governor of Kebbi State has no right to act outside the clear and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (applicable to this case).

“Section 35 (1) of the said Constitution provides that every citizen of Nigeria is “entitled to his personal liberty and no person shall be deprived of such liberty” except in the circumstances set out in subsections (a) to (f) thereof. Section 40 of the same Constitution provides that “every person is entitled to assemble freely and associate with other persons.

“On the issue at hand, Section 41(1) of the Constitution is germane and it provides thus: “41 – (1) Every citizen of Nigeria is entitled to move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof, and no citizen of Nigeria shall be expelled from Nigeria or refused entry thereto or exit therefrom.”

Mr Yekini said the court declared that “The banishment and deportation from Kebbi State by the Governor of Kebbi State, on or about the 3rd of June, 2005 of the 1st respondent (Emir of Gwandu) to Lafia in Nasarawa State and later to Obi, also in Nasarawa State, is most unconstitutional, and illegal.

“By the said banishment and deportation, the 1st respondent has been, unduly and wrongfully denied his constitutional rights “to respect for the dignity of his person”; “to assemble freely and associate other persons” – including the people of Gwandu Emirate of Kebbi State; and to “move freely throughout Nigeria and to reside in any part thereof” as respectively provided in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999.” Per ADUMEIN, J.C.A. (Pp. 72-73, paras. E-D).”

A recording of the deposed Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi, has been obtained in what is his first reaction to his removal from office on Monday.

Mr Sanusi was deposed following a resolution of the Kano State Executive Council on March 9, on allegations of insubordination.

The Secretary to the Kano State Government, Usman Alhaji, who addressed journalists at the end of the emergency council meeting said the action was based on the governor’s powers under the state’s Emirates Law 2019.

A son of late Ado Bayero who was Mr Sanusi’s predecessor, Aminu Bayero, was immediately announced as the new emir with the endorsement of the four Kano kingmakers.

In the video message, which lasted over four minutes, Mr Sanusi accepted his dethronement as an act of destiny.

“With almost six years on this throne and (in charge of) our heritage. Today, the Almighty Allah, who gave me the leadership has destined to take it back,” Mr Sanusi said.

“As I always say, leadership has predetermined tenure, the days Allah destined are numbered. When the days come to an end one must leave.

“We have accepted whatever Allah decides. We have agreed. We appreciate (God). We are happy and we know it is what is best for us.”

The video appeared to have been recorded at the Kano Palace on Monday before Mr Sanusi was whisked away into exile by security personnel.

Towards the end of the video, the blaring of a siren could be heard signalling the arrival of the police commissioner who led the operation.

The deposed emir called on all titleholders and palace officials to support whoever emerged as the emir.

“We enjoin everyone to remain peaceful. We have directed our family, our children and those that support us that whoever gets it and is endorsed by the people they should pay allegiance to him.

“They should follow him (the new emir). They should guard his honour and dignity because that is also the honour and dignity of this palace.”

In affirming his ties to his grandfather who was deposed in similar way in 1963, Mr Sanusi expressed happiness for practising his reign in accordance with that of Emir Sanusi I.

“It is a thing of pride that made us rule and end in the same fashion as Halifa,” he said using his grandfather’s sobriquet.

In an analysis after his dethronement, the resemblances in the last days of the two monarchs and how Mr Sanusi set out to reincarnate his grandfather’s reign when he became the emir in 2013 were reported.

Mr Sanusi expressed his thanks to the people of Kano, titleholders, lieutenants and friends for their support and affection during his reign.

The Senate, in less than 10 minutes on Tuesday, passed a bill that seeks to amend the Companies and Allied Matters Act 2004.

The bill, sponsored by the Senate leader, Abdullahi Yahaya, was read for the first time on December 10, 2019, and scaled second reading on February 27.

The bill seeks to provide for the incorporation of companies, limited liability partnerships, limited partnerships, registration of business names together with the incorporation of trustees of certain communities, bodies or associations.

The Senate passed the bill in May 2018 to, among others, make it possible for individuals to register their companies from any part of the world.

The bill came 28 years after the passage of the original Companies and Allied Matters Act and is expected to make Nigeria the best country in Africa to do business in.

It was transmitted in May but was not assented to by President Muhammadu Buhari.

In November 2019, the president wrote to the Senate seeking an amendment to a section of the law.

In his letter, Mr Buhari amended Section 26(5) of the law to preserve the powers of the Attorney-General of the Federation to approve the registration of companies limited by guarantee and reflect the ease of doing business principles in a veto order (1) of 2017 on the promotion of transparency and efficiency in the business environment.

Tuesday’s passage of the bill was moved by the Deputy Senate Leader, Ajayi Boroffice, who noted that the bill contains 869 clauses.

The lawmakers thereafter, resolved into the committee-of-the-whole to consider and pass the bill.

The bill

Earlier Mr Yahaya said it seeks to provide an efficient means of regulating businesses, minimise the compliance burden of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), enhance transparency and shareholder engagement and promote a friendly business climate in Nigeria.

It will enhance Nigeria’s business environment and make it competitive among its international colleagues and it is a good start for small companies and young entrepreneurs, given the provision for single ownership of small private companies, he explained.

He also said it will promote the use of technology and eliminate all unnecessary regulatory provisions for small companies.

“It is expected to reduce the minimum share capital for companies and startups in Nigeria.

The introduction of the e-registration system will ensure global access to the registration of companies and Increase in foreign investment through the creation of a new legal entity,” he said.

Mr Yahaya further noted that the business reform happening now is long overdue as Nigeria’s legal framework for business is in dire need for the same in order to achieve the much-desired growth and attract investment.

The Repeal and Re-enactment of the CAMA Bill when passed to law, will have the overall effect of making the Nigerian corporate law more in tune with today’s business realities, improve the business environment, as well as mitigate direct compliance costs for businesses in Nigeria, he said.

He added that the necessary amendments have been made as requested by the president.

All the senators including the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, who spoke about the bill, supported its passage as many urged the Senate to fast-track the process.

The bill was thereafter read for the second time after a voice vote and referred to the Senate Committee on Trade and Investment to report back after a week.

The bill, if signed into law, is expected to provide significant benefits to companies by reducing red tape and making it easier to comply with regulatory obligations.

The amendments are aimed at encouraging investments that will allow small businesses and startups to thrive, lower costs and ease regulatory burdens. Changes included in the bill will mean that many of the over 75,000 private companies limited by shares which are established in Nigeria every year will be able to incorporate more easily.

In addition, small companies will no longer be required to have a company secretary or hold Annual General Meetings and the requirement for statutory declaration of compliance has also been removed.

Minimum share capital required for companies to be registered has also been reduced to encourage more investments in small companies, and individuals will no longer need a lawyer to register a company.

The House of Representatives is expected to pass the same bill after which it will be transmitted to the president for assent.

The Abia State chapter of the APC has kicked against the appointment of Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa as the chairman Abia State Independent Electoral Commission (ABSIEC) by the state governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu.

The party in a statement signed by the state Publicity Secretary, Comrade Benedict Godson while accusing Prof. Mkpa of being a card carrying member of PDP, former Commissioner and former SSG said PDP cannot fix a match, play in it and be the referee.

“Fellow Abians, men and women of the God’s own State, you all know why a local government election has become inevitable to the growth and development of our dear state.

“You all can see how our state is managed like a vast farmland situated in a desert area bearing no fruit from year to year. So dry that we’ve become a state for mockery nation wide.

“You’re also aware that the All Progressives Congress as a party committed towards taking the dividends of democracy to the grassroots, few months ago, called on the Abia State governor, Dr. Okezie Ikpeazu to organize a local government election.

“Opposition is not just about criticism, but about constructive criticism that will push the government in power to develop human face and do the right thing if truly they’re sincerely about governance.

“So, we’re glad that he has responded and is currently putting plans in place to make it happen. However, his recent appointment of the Chairman of ABSIEC shows that someone is not ready for free and fair election in Abia.

“Amongst all party, APC will be the most miserable if he are politically lethargic to keep silent and allow this clandestine stratagem and political jiggery-pokery of the PDP evident in the appointment of Prof. Mkpa Agu Mkpa, a card carrying member of the PDP as Chairman of ABSIEC.

“It’s on record that Prof. Mkpa is not just a PDP card carrying member, but a Chieftain of the party who by that privilege has served as a Commissioner, a Secretary to the State Government as well as the Vice Chancellor of the Abia State University Uturu (ABSU)”.

While affirming the credibility of Prof. Mkpa in delivering an acceptable local government election, the APC said his loyalty to the ruling party in the state will be an impediment towards this.

“With his academic pedigree and achievements while serving as the Vice Chancellor of ABSU, as well as one time Secretary to Abia State Government and a Commissioner of Education, one cannot doubt his academic capabilities and qualifications.

“But there’s no way blue will replace purple no matter their similarities. We cannot ask for fish and you give us snake. We cannot ask for bread and you give us stone. Prof. Mkpa cannot give Abians a free and fair election because he must dance to the tone of his party, the PDP.

“Appointment of Prof Mkpa Agu Mkpa by Governor Ikpeazu as Chairman of ABSIEC, saddled with the responsibility of organizing LGA election in Abia, is unacceptable to the APC and we reject it and ask the State House of Assembly to think Abia first before doing something that will generate massive disapproval.

“We borrow a legal Latin phrase to say to the PDP: “Nemo judex in causa sua.” It simply means, “no-one is judge in his own cause.” The gentleman Prof is a respected Abian, but he must not be made a referee of a competition he’s one of the participants.

“We don’t have any problem with his personality. The issue lies with his political affiliation and loyalty with the PDP. He’s a card carrying member of the PDP. This is not hidden. They’ve just started their first rigging process which is what they’re known for.

“We reject that appointment in its entirety and urge well meaning Abians and all serious political parties to join hands to reject this obnoxious appointment which potents nothing good for opposition politics in Abia.

“Yes, we want LGA election, but the PDP cannot hoodwink all of us into an election where they’ve painstakingly done all the political arithmetic aimed to theatrically arrogate powers to their people using one of their own.

“Anyone who is not new to Abia politics will know that giving us Prof Mkpa as ABSIEC Chairman is a “Greek Gift” Abians must reject without reservation because it was never done with good intention and it’ll hurt everyone after the election” the statement concluded.