Supreme Court Affirms Alhaji Muhammadu Ilyasu-Bashar as Emir of Gwandu

In a landmark ruling, the Supreme Court has issued a final verdict in the long-standing Gwandu Emirate dispute, affirming Alhaji Muhammadu Ilyasu-Bashar as the legitimate Emir of Gwandu. The decision also validates the position of the Kebbi State Government in the matter.

The ruling, delivered by a five-member panel led by Hon. Justice Uwani Abba-Aji, was a split decision. Three justices sided with the arguments presented by the legal teams representing Alhaji Muhammadu Ilyasu-Bashar and the Kebbi State Government, while two dissented, supporting the position of Al-Mustapha Haruna-Jokolo.

This judgment is expected to bring closure to a succession battle that has spanned more than 20 years, casting a long shadow over the Gwandu Emirate. Reactions have been mixed, with many residents expressing relief that the prolonged legal tussle has finally reached an end. “This is a defining moment in the history of the Gwandu Emirate,” a local resident remarked.

Although the complete text of the judgment is yet to be released, initial reports suggest that the Supreme Court’s decision is seen as a decisive resolution to a saga that has tested the patience of many and exposed deep-rooted delays within the judiciary.

As the people of Gwandu and the wider public absorb the outcome, the ruling marks both the end of a contentious chapter and the beginning of a new era for the Emirate.