A Sokoto State High Court on Wednesday restrained Governor Ahmed Aliyu from dethroning two traditional rulers in the state.

The presiding judge, Justice Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed, gave the order separately sought by the District Heads of Tambuwal and Kebbe, Buhari Dahiru Tambuwal and Abubakar Kassim, respectively.

Justice Ahmed ordered the governor, the state’s Attorney General and the Sokoto Sultanate Council, their agents servants, privies or assigns or any person acting on their behalves, regarding Kebbe and Tambuwal monarchs, to stay action particularly against both monarchs pending the hearing and determination of the motion for interlocutory injunction filed by their counsel, Ibrahim Abdullahi (SAN).

The judge directed the defendants to “maintain status quo and stay all actions and further actions in connection with all matters dealing with and or appertaining to the removal and or dethronement of districts heads in Sokoto State.”

This came after the state government earlier ousted both monarchs, along with 12 others, for alleged insubordination and fuelling insecurity in the state.

The governor sent a bill to the State Assembly, seeking amendment of the state Local Government Law, which on Wednesday, passed second reading and was thereafter referred to a House Committee.

The bill, which is set for public hearing on Tuesday, if passed, would confer on the governor, exclusive powers to appoint and dethrone traditional rulers, district and village heads in the state.