News
N950m PDP fund’s trial delays Shekarau from attending APC rally in Kano
Nasir Ibrahim
Ibrahim Shekarau, APC candidate for Kano Central senatorial election district arrived late for the Buhari campaign rally on Thursday due to a court hearing over N950 million PDP campaign fund.
The trial was had been slated for Thursday January 31st and Friday February 1st, 2019 at a Federal High Court in Kano.
At the commencement of the trial on Thursday, counsel to Mr Shekarau, Jibrin Okutepa pleaded to the court to adjourn the matter to Friday to enable his client attend President Buhari’s campaign rally taking place on same day in Kano.
“My Lord, Mr President is coming to Kano today. My client is politician and wants to attend the rally,” he said.
However, the trial judge Lewis Allagoa rejected Mr Shekarau’s request and ordered for the commencement of the trial.
Again, about one and half hour later Mr Okutepa moved another application seeking for the adjournment of the trial based on the predicament of Mr Shekarau being a Senatorial candidate of the APC.
The trial judge rejected the request again, saying he wants continue with the case as the counsel did not provide a valid reason for adjournment.
When the matter was called up, counsel to EFCC Samuel Chiwe presented a staff of EFCC Mahmud Tukur as his first witness.
Mr Tukur told the court that the EFCC has received intelligence report that the sum of N23 billion has been deposited by former Minister of Petroleum at Fidelity bank in Lagos out of which N950 million was directed to be given to Kano PDP.
He added that the money was received by former minister of Foreign Affairs Aminu Wali and Mansur Ahmad on March 26th, 2015 two days to the presidential election.
“I visited fidelity Bank Kano on April 27th, 2016 where I interviewed the business manager Aliyu Da’u Aliyu and operations manager Saheed. In the course of the interview, they confirmed that on night of March 26th, 2015 they gave 2nd and 3rd defendants (Aminu Wali and Mansur Ahmad) the sum of 950 millionNaira. They provided us with the receipt of payment alongside the identification document of the 2nd and 3rd defendants.
“We invited them, interview them and obtained their statement. The 1st defendant (Mr Shekarau) wrote a statement on May 12th, 13th and 14th,2016, the 2nd defendant (Mr Wali) wrote a statement on May 5th, 1016 and the 3rd defendant (Mr Ahmed) wrote a statement on May 13th, 2019,” Mr Tukur testified.
The court has admitted three exhibits against the accused persons. They are statements obtained at EFCC, receipt of bank payment and letter from the Fidelity bank.
The proceeding which lasted for only 2 hours was interrupted with two recess called by trial judge.
In an unusual move, the trial judge adjourned the case to Friday 1st February, 2019 at his chamber during second recess following a plea by both prosecution and defence counsels.
Mr Shekarau was a minister of education under former President Goodluck Jonathan prior to 2015 general elections. He is now contesting for Kano central senatorial seat under APC.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nigeria’s Vice President, Kashim Shettima, on Tuesday received a delegation from the Association of Kano Business Community at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, during a thank-you visit to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
KANO FOCUS reports that the delegation expressed appreciation to the Federal Government for its support to traders and other victims affected by the recent fire incident that razed several sections of the popular Singer Market in Kano.
Speaking during the meeting, the Vice President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to collaborating with the Kano State Government and relevant agencies to prevent a recurrence of fire outbreaks in markets across the state.
He assured the delegation that President Tinubu has the interests of Kano people at heart, noting that the N5 billion approved as immediate relief for victims was based on the findings of a preliminary assessment of the damage caused by the inferno.
Shettima reiterated that the Federal Government would continue to support efforts aimed at restoring commercial activities and strengthening safety measures in markets to protect lives and property.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has inaugurated a 23-member committee to oversee the transparent and equitable distribution of financial assistance and relief materials to victims of the recent Singer Market fire disaster.
KANO FOCUS reports that the inauguration was carried out on behalf of the Secretary to the State Government, Umar Faruq Ibrahim, who chairs the committee. The event was presided over by the state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Abdulkarim Kabiru Maude.
According to the Attorney-General, the committee comprises representatives from key government agencies, security services, the Kano Emirate Council, religious leaders, and affected traders.
He said the panel’s mandate includes assessing the extent of losses, verifying genuine victims, ensuring timely distribution of support, and recommending measures to prevent future fire incidents.
The intervention follows support approved by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as well as contributions from the APC Governors Forum. It also comes in addition to earlier assistance provided by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf and the Deputy Senate President, Barau I. Jibrin.
The state government reaffirmed its commitment to supporting victims of the disaster and restoring commercial activities at Singer Market.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Government has announced Saturday, March 1, 2026, as the commencement date for the Eid-el-Fitr break for all public and private primary and post-primary schools in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the announcement, contained in the approved 2025/2026 academic calendar, applies to both day and boarding schools across the state.
According to a statement issued by the Director of Public Enlightenment, Musbahu Aminu Yakasai, parents and guardians of pupils and students in boarding schools are expected to convey their wards home by the early hours of Friday, February 28, 2026.
The statement further explained that boarding school students are to resume on Sunday, March 22, 2026, while day students are to resume on Monday, March 23, 2026.
It added that the second term will continue from Sunday, March 22, 2026, and end on Saturday, April 18, 2026.
The government directed all public and private schools in the state to comply strictly with the directive, warning that non-compliance would be treated as a breach of government instructions.
The Commissioner for Education, Ali Haruna Abubakar Makoda, urged parents and guardians to ensure full compliance with the approved resumption dates.
He appreciated parents and residents of the state for their continued cooperation and support to the ministry, and wished pupils and students a successful completion of the Ramadan fast and hitch-free Sallah celebrations.
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Kano Govt inaugurates 23-member committee to disburse Singer market fire relief
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