In a split decision of two justices to one, the Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled that the Federal High Court in Kano lacks jurisdiction to preside over the Kano Emirate legal battle.

The appellate court held that matters involving Kano State chieftaincy disputes fall exclusively under the jurisdiction of the Kano State High Court. Delivering the lead judgment, Justice Gabriel Kolawole stated that the Federal High Court had no authority to adjudicate on the matter and directed that the case be returned to the Kano State High Court for proper adjudication.

Presiding Justice Mustapha Mohammed, along with another Justice, concurred with Justice Kolawole on the issue of jurisdiction. However, they disagreed with the directive to remand the case to the Kano Chief Judge for reassignment. Instead, the two justices ruled that the case should be struck out entirely, as the Federal High Court should not have entertained it in the first place.

As a result, the appellate court struck out the Federal High Court proceedings on the grounds of lack of jurisdiction.