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The Supreme Court of Nigeria on Tuesday fixed June 6 to deliver judgment in the long-standing legal battle over the rightful occupant of the Emir of Gwandu stool in Kebbi State.

The dispute, which has lasted for 20 years, centers on the reinstatement of Mustapha Jokolo as the 19th Emir of Gwandu, following his controversial deposition in 2005.

A five-member panel of the apex court, led by Justice Uwani Aji, scheduled the judgment date after hearing final arguments from lawyers representing the parties in three appeals challenging the 2016 Court of Appeal ruling that ordered Jokolo’s reinstatement.

The Kebbi State Government has repeatedly failed to comply with the reinstatement order, prompting continued legal battles.

Jokolo had initially challenged his dethronement in the Kebbi State High Court, which, in 2014, ruled in his favor and ordered his immediate reinstatement.

The judgment was upheld by the Court of Appeal in 2016, which found that his removal violated Sections 6 and 7 of the Chief Appointment and Deposition Law of Kebbi State.

The appellate court held that the then-governor failed to follow due process, stating that:

“The Governor neither made an inquiry into the allegations against the Emir nor consulted the Kebbi State’s Council of Chiefs before making his decision.”

Following this ruling, the Kebbi State Government and Jokolo’s successor appealed to the Supreme Court, seeking to overturn the judgment.