Supreme Court Ends 20-Year Gwandu Emirate Dispute, Upholds Emir Bashar’s Appointment

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has ended a twenty-year legal battle over the leadership of the Gwandu Emirate in Kebbi State.

In a judgment delivered on June 4, 2025, the court affirmed the appointment of Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar as the Emir.

The case was between the Governor of Kebbi State and others against Al-Mustapha Haruna Jokolo and another party. The court upheld the cross-appeal filed by Y.C. Maikyau, SAN, representing the Governor of Kebbi State, Kebbi State Council of Chiefs, Gwandu Emirate Council and the Kingmakers.

Earlier decisions by the Kebbi State High Court and Court of Appeal had declared Jokolo’s removal unlawful and ordered reinstatement.

However, the Supreme Court set aside those judgments and ruled them exercises in futility, validating Emir Bashar’s leadership since 2005.

The court emphasised the lawfulness of the appointment process and the authority of the Kebbi State Government under the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law.

The Supreme Court’s judgment brings legal certainty and finality to a matter that has created legal, political, and traditional tensions in Kebbi State and in the nation for the last twenty 20 years. By upholding Emir Bashar’s appointment, the apex court has resolved a dispute that had led to parallel claims to the throne, conflicting loyalties within the Gwandu community, and intermittent legal challenges across all levels of the judiciary.

The implications of this judgment are profound. It not only restores confidence in the judicial system’s capacity to settle long-standing traditional disputes, but also reinforces the constitutional authority of state governments to act within the powers granted to them under the Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law.

The judgment also affirms that the court will uphold the deposition and appointment of traditional rulers when done according to law. It further mandates that anyone challenging an emir’s deposition must strictly follow the relevant legal provisions.

The clarity provided by the Supreme Court is expected to promote lasting peace, unity, and administrative stability in the Gwandu Emirate, ending years of contestation and division.

With this landmark judgment, the Supreme Court has reaffirmed the place of rule of law in the management of traditional institutions in Nigeria.

This Supreme Court judgment represents not only a significant legal milestone, but also a cultural and historical moment for the people of Gwandu Emirate in Kebbi State.

It paves the way for a renewed focus on development, traditional governance, and communal cohesion under the undisputed leadership of His Royal Highness, Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar