The Supreme Court has upheld Alhaji Muhammad Ilyasu-Bashir as the substantive Emir of Gwandu in the long-standing dispute over the emirate’s throne.
In a split decision, the apex court held that the deposed Emir of Gwandu, Al-Mustapha Jokolo, did not initiate the suit via due process of law.
The court held that the deposed Emir failed to serve a pre-action notice on the Governor of Kebbi State, a crucial step in initiating the suit.
It also ruled that the procedural lapse robbed the trial court of its jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
As a result, the entire proceedings and judgment of both the trial court and Court of Appeal were set aside, the Supreme Court’s decision effectively affirms.