S/Kaduna journalists to Gov Sani: Reinstate dethroned Piriga monarch, address skewed appointments

BY IDIBIA GABRIEL

The Southern Kaduna Journalists’ Forum (SKJF), has called on Kaduna State Governor, Senator Uba Sani to implement the court judgement that annulled the dethronement of Piriga monarch, Chief Jonathan Paraguwa Zamuna under ex-Governor Nasir Ahmed El-Rufai’s last days of his departure.

The forum in a press statement signed by its chairman, Ango Bally, urged Governor Sani “to demonstrate the pro-democracy and rule of law that he stands for, as evidence in his participation for the realisation of June 12 election struggle.

According to the forum, it’s a demonstration of his government’s respect to implement the judgement which declared the dethronement null and void and ordered for the reinstatement of Chief Zamuna with all privileges restored.

Honourable Justice Bashir Attahiru Alkali’s judgement of the National Industrial Court sitting in Kaduna, had on June 10, 2024 declared the dethronement of Chief Zamuna on 22nd May 2023, null and void for lack of fair hearing and ordered for his reinstatement with all salaries arrears paid and all privileges restored within 30 days.

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The court also ordered Kaduna state government to pay Chief Zamuna 10 million naira damages for the violation of his fundamental human rights. The copy of judgement has already been released.

This is in consonance with the former Vice President Atiku Abubakar’s called for constitutional reform to protect traditional institutions in Nigeria, by recognising and defining their responsibilities, lamenting that “recent developments in the country have seen a growing tendency of state governments exerting influence in distorting the modalities of enthroning traditional stools.”

“SKJF equally recognises Gov. Sani’s laudable efforts in uniting the state towards achieving sustainable piece through the formation of the Kaduna Elders Forum co-Chaired by the duo of the former Military Governor of Old Rivers State, Retired General Zamani Lekwot and former Head of Service, Abubakar Mustapha, with highly respected personalities as members, to help chart a new course for the unity and development of the state”, it stated.