The constitutionality of banishment & incarceration of removed emirs has been settled by the Court of Appeal in 2013 in the case of deposed Emir Jokolo of Gwandu. The Court held that the practice contravenes Sections 34 & 41 of the 1999 Constitution and thus illegal, null & void.
The Court held that a dethroned emir has the right to reside anywhere and move freely in Nigeria and around the world. It said to allow a Governor to control the life and movement of a removed emir is akin to making the emir a slave of the Emir and slavery is unconstitutional.
Banishment is a barbaric customary practice that was reinforced by British imperialists who did all they could to humiliate and bully anyone that disagreed with them. That a Governor purporting to rule under a Constitution would attempt to use it is beyond comprehension.
It disgusting that our security forces have made themselves a willing tool in this wanton illegality. They’ve woefully failed to protect the lives and property of Nigerians, and have refused to enforce uncountable Court Orders. But they’re now used by unscrupulous politicians.
