The court of appeal in Abuja has ordered a fresh hearing of the Kano state emirship tussle involving Aminu Bayero.

In a judgment delivered on Friday, a three-member panel of justices led by Mohammed Mustapha, faulted the verdict of the Kano state high court.

The high court had stopped Bayero and four other dethroned emirs of Bichi, Rano, Gaya and Karaye from parading themselves as emirs.

The appellate court held that in the ruling delivered by Amina Adamu Aliyu, trial judge, on July 15, Bayero was denied fair hearing due to the “shoddy manner” the high court conducted its proceedings.

Mustapha said the high court was unfair to Bayero by conducting proceedings without serving him a hearing notice to enable him present his case.

The lead justice held that all courts of law are bound to ensure justice for all parties by giving them equal opportunities, adding that the conduct of the proceedings against Bayero amounted to a travesty of justice.

Consequently, the appellate court ordered that the case be remitted to the chief judge of the Kano state high court for reassignment to another judge for expeditious determination.

Lamido Sanusi was reinstated as emir by Abba Yusuf, governor of Kano, at a colourful ceremony in the government house on May 24.

The Kano house of assembly repealed the law that Abdullahi Ganduje, former governor of the state, used to depose and exile Sanusi in 2020.

The repeal paved the way for the reinstatement of Sanusi and the dethronement of Bayero.

Seyi Makinde, governor of Oyo state, has announced Abimbola Akeem Owoade as the new Alaafin of Oyo.

The announcement was made in a statement issued on Friday by Sulaimon Olanrewaju, his chief press secretary.

Owoade’s appointment comes over two years since the death of Lamidi Adeyemi who was Alaafin from 1970 to 2022.

The Government of the United States of America, USA, has repatriated the sum of $52. 88 million it said was traced to former Petroleum Resources Minister Diezani Madueke.

The US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Richard M. Mills, Jr, led a delegation that executed the Assets Return Agreement at the Federal Ministry of Justice Headquarters in Abuja, on Friday.

Signing the agreement on behalf of the Federal Government, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Prince Lateef Fagbemi, SAN, disclosed that the $52.88m arose from the forfeiture of Galactica assets, linked to the ex-Minister and her associates.

The AGF maintained that the development was not only a testament to the unwavering commitment of both nations to fight corruption but also signified the commitment of the USA to facilitate restitution and support integrity and accountability in governance.

“Measures have also been put in place to ensure that the repatriated funds are not only disbursed but also utilized transparently and accountably by the World Bank and IIJ, with periodic reports to be forwarded to Nigeria and the US on the implementation of the projects.

“This robust framework will guarantee that the funds are effectively used for the full benefit of the Nigerian people in line with UNCAC and the Global Forum on Asset Recovery (GFAR) principles,” the AGF added.