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.
Ibrahim Khalil
The Kano State Police Command has arrested eight suspects in separate operations targeting drug peddling and thuggery in Panshekara and Kunchi/Ghari Local Government Area.
KANO FOCUS reports that the command disclosed this in a statement issued on Thursday by its spokesperson, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Adamu Bakori.
According to the statement, the operations, conducted on September 9, 2026, were part of the command’s intelligence-driven efforts to tackle drug abuse, thuggery and violent crimes across the state.
It said operatives of the Surveillance Team attached to Panshekara Police Division, acting on credible intelligence at about 2:30 p.m., intercepted eight suspects, including a 21-year-old man identified as Samson Yakubu of Samegu Quarters, at a suspected criminal hotspot.
A search of the suspects reportedly led to the recovery of 15 Pregabalin capsules, five Diazepam tablets, 10 Exol tablets and some quantity of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp.
The police said the suspects were in custody and undergoing interrogation, while investigations were ongoing to establish the source of the suspected illicit drugs and identify other members of the alleged syndicate.
In a related operation conducted between 1 p.m. and 9 p.m. the same day, operatives of the Kunchi/Ghari Division carried out a coordinated market patrol and raid at Matanfada Market.
The command said the area had been identified as a place where youths allegedly intimidate traders and residents during market sessions.
Five suspects were arrested during the operation. They were identified as Abdullahi Isah of Dustin; Haruna Isah of Daqarawa Village; Habu Badamasi of Dan Taimu Village; Gambo Ya’u of Kura Village; and Abubakar Dahiru of Farau Village.
The police said investigation was ongoing to identify and arrest other suspected accomplices, while exhibits recovered during the operation had been taken into custody as evidence.
CP Bakori commended the operatives for what he described as their professionalism and swift response, assuring residents that the command would sustain its operations against drug abuse, thuggery and other violent crimes.
“In line with the IGP’s policing vision and our mandate to ensure a safe and secure Kano, we will continue to be proactive,” the commissioner said.
“We are sending a clear message to criminal elements that Kano State will not be a breeding ground for their activities.”
The command also appreciated members of the public, community leaders and vigilante groups for providing information that aided the operations.
It urged residents to remain vigilant and report suspicious movements or activities to the nearest police station.
The command said all suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigations.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The funeral prayer for the late Shehu Kabir Bayero, Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Dorayi, was held on Thursday evening at Kofar Kudu, Kano Emir’s Palace.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prayer was led by the Chief Imam of Khamsus Salawati Mosque, Kofar Kudu, Malam Bello, and attended by hundreds of people from different parts of Kano State.
Among those who attended were the Secretary to the Kano State Government, Alhaji Umar Faruk; representative of the Emir of Kano, Matawallen Kano, Alhaji Aliyu Ibrahim Matawalle; Chief of Staff to the Kano State Government House, Dr Sani Wali; as well as district heads and members of the Muslim community.
Shehu Kabir Bayero died in a hospital in Egypt following a period of illness. He is survived by his wives, children and other relatives.
Until his death, the late Bayero served as Commissioner of Police in Gombe and Osun states before retiring from the Nigeria Police Force.
Following his retirement, the late Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero, appointed him as the Barde Kerarriya of Kano and District Head of Takai Local Government Area after the death of his father, the late Kabir Bayero, an elder brother of the former emir.
He later served as District Head of Gwarzo.
Due to his wealth of experience in security matters, the current Emir of Kano, Khalifa Muhammadu Sanusi II, subsequently reassigned him as District Head of Dorayi, where he was expected to contribute to the sustenance of peace and security in the area.
The late district head was remembered for his service to the state and his experience in security and traditional administration.
May Allah forgive his shortcomings, have mercy on his soul and grant him Jannatul Firdaus. Ameen.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Ministry of Education, with support from the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has held a planning meeting on the implementation and effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport (NLP) in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that the meeting brought together relevant stakeholders from various ministries, agencies and development partners working in the education sector.
According to Malam Naziru Sirajo, deputy director EMIS and statistics in the Ministry of Education, the meeting was aimed at reviewing the current status of the Nigeria Learning Passport in Kano and developing a coordinated plan to strengthen its implementation, content utilisation, course completion, monitoring of learners’ progress and certification.
The Nigeria Learning Passport is a digital learning platform designed to provide Nigerian children and young people with access to curriculum-aligned educational content, including lessons, learning materials and assessments.
The platform is also designed to support learning continuity, including for learners facing limited or intermittent internet connectivity, while providing teachers and education stakeholders with digital resources to complement classroom instruction.
In Kano, the initiative is expected to strengthen awareness and utilisation of digital learning, while building the capacity of master trainers and technical teams to support schools, teachers and learners in using the platform effectively.
The effective utilisation of the Nigeria Learning Passport is expected to expand access to quality digital learning resources, promote independent learning, strengthen digital literacy and support improved learning outcomes and greater equity in access to educational opportunities.
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