The Supreme Court on Wednesday reinstated Al-Mustapha Haruna Jokolo as the 19th Emir of Gwandu, bringing an end to a legal battle that spanned two decades.

Delivering a consolidated judgment in Abuja, a five-member panel of justices led by Justice Uwani Abba-Aji ruled in favour of the deposed monarch, effectively upholding earlier rulings by the Kebbi State High Court and the Court of Appeal which ordered Jokolo’s reinstatement.

Jokolo was removed from the throne in 2005 under controversial circumstances by the then Kebbi State Government. He immediately challenged his removal in court, sparking one of the longest-running royal succession disputes in the country’s recent history.

The legal tussle culminated in the Supreme Court’s verdict on June 4, 2025, a date moved up from the initially scheduled June 6 due to the Eid-el-Kabir holidays.

The apex court considered four appeals and two cross-appeals before issuing a consolidated judgment that affirmed Jokolo’s right to the throne.

Barrister Sylvester Imhanobe represented the reinstated Emir, while the Kebbi State Government and the current Emir, Alhaji Muhammadu Ilyasu-Bashar, were represented by Yakubu Maikyau (SAN) and Hussaini Zakariya (SAN), respectively.

The ruling is expected to bring final closure to the royal succession crisis that has divided the Gwandu Emirate since 2005.

Mixed reactions have trailed the development in Birnin Kebbi, with some residents calling for calm and unity following the landmark decision.

With the judgment now delivered, attention will shift to how the state government and traditional institutions will respond to the Supreme Court’s ruling.