Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Femi Falana has described the recent judicial orders in Kano State as an embarrassment to the judiciary.

Falana stated this in an interview with Arise Television on Thursday.

He said there is the need for higher courts to address the political and judicial confusion in both Kano and Rivers states.

He said, “Sanusi was not said to have disobeyed any order, so if the order affected him, he ought to have been put on notice.”

Falana described the court’s stance as confusing with regard to the broader issue of the Supreme Court’s judgments on the limitations of federal high court powers over traditional institutions.

“To be a Chief is not a fundamental right; it is a privilege,” he added.

Falana said the state high court’s order in favour of Sanusi created further confusion.

“The practice in the past was to allow the court of appeal to clear the confusion, and in this case, an appeal has been filed,” he said.

Falana faulted the federal high court’s involvement in matters of traditional institutions, stressing that only state governments have legislative power over such issues.

The constitution has made it clear that the National Assembly can only enact laws on matters in the exclusive legislative list; traditional institutions are residual,” he stated.

Speaking on the ongoing legal battle over the extension of local government officials’ tenures in Rivers, Falana referenced Section 7 of the constitution, which mandates democratically elected local government officials.

“In the case of Rivers, there’s already a judgement that the amendment of the law is illegal and unconstitutional,” he said.

Falana expressed concern over the disregard for Supreme Court decisions by political figures, calling for the media to challenge this behaviour.

He warned that the practice of extending tenures without proper elections could lead to chaos.

Ordinarily, the elections should have been conducted just like governorship elections,” he said.

He also faulted the overreach of federal powers in local governance, advocating for a clearer delegation of responsibilities.

“The federal government is currently over-bloated; there is a need to delegate powers to the federating units,” he said.

Falana called for constitutional reforms to enhance the functionality and recognition of local governments, adding that these issues must be addressed to maintain the rule of law and democratic integrity in Nigeria.

OriOko88:

There's no judiciary any more. Infact there's no single arm of govt that's working or active. Both the judiciary and legislative hv been pocketed by the executive.

Is it the docile CJN that's busy following the president everywhere commissioning roads in Abuja that will control the judges under him, or challenges the executive anti people policy'??

Two different judges giving conflicting judgement over same issue,and the NJC abi NjO remain silent and also confused.
Kudos to the US supreme Court. That's an example of a working institution.
I pray in my next life, I come as a Yoruba boy of America decent or a Dutch.

GettingTotop22:


I mean the NJC remain silent and watch judges entertain matters they don’t have jurisdiction over ?
And someone is telling me not to leave this country ?

Coolsperm:
Tinubu have brought total confusion in the country

yyba:
Falana you are one of the problem, by always interpreting case in your opinion before any judgement from the court.

yyba:
Falana you are one of the problem, by always interpreting case in your opinion before any judgement from the court.

GettingTotop22:
You ever wonder why the whites don’t respect us and see Africans as animals ? And some gullible people will be shouting “ I hate the west “ a country where you can’t have dramas like this

phemmyjohnson:


How ? By calling out the courts giving conflicting rulings. Do you even understand the implication of LGA chairmen saying they can’t leave after their tenure expired ! Or a FHC entertaining a matter Supreme Court already established as matters of state high court .

GettingTotop22:


This is the best you can open your mouth to spill out !
No wonder they treat Nigerians like cows .

olatade:
We should have Emir 1 and Emir 2.

Case closed