Former President Muhammadu Buhari has extended his congratulations to Major-General Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar (retd.), following his victory at the Supreme Court in the protracted legal battle over the Gwandu Emirate throne.
In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu, on Thursday, Buhari expressed his delight during a phone call from London, where he currently resides. He described the Supreme Court ruling as a “stunning victory” and commended the Emir for his resilience throughout the 20-year legal contest.
“You have always worked for the betterment of your people and the nation, even under challenging circumstances,” Buhari said, urging the Emir to continue promoting peace, prosperity, and unity within the Gwandu Emirate and beyond.
The legal tussle began in 2005 after the deposition of the 19th Emir of Gwandu, Alhaji Mustapha Jokolo, a retired Major and former Aide-de-Camp to then Head of State Buhari. Jokolo challenged his removal by the Kebbi State Government, asserting it was unconstitutional and procedurally flawed.
Although Jokolo secured favorable judgments from the Kebbi State High Court in 2014 and the Court of Appeal in 2016, both rulings were overturned on June 4, 2025, by the Supreme Court. The apex court held that Jokolo’s failure to issue a pre-action notice to the Governor, as required by Section 5(4) of the Kebbi State Chiefs (Appointment and Deposition) Law, rendered his initial suit invalid and deprived the lower courts of jurisdiction.
With this decision, the Supreme Court affirmed Alhaji Muhammadu Iliyasu Bashar as the legitimate Emir of Gwandu, bringing the decades-long legal dispute to a close.
“I thank Allah for this victory and pray for your long life and good health,” Buhari added in his message to the Emir.
