Headlines
PDP accuses APC, Ganduje of plotting to change Kano guber appeal judges
By Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has accused the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) and Governor Abdullahi Ganduje of plotting to change the judges that have been already assigned to preside over the Kano state Governorship Election Appeals Panel.
Kano Focus recalls that the PDP and its candidate in Kano Abba Yusuf have filed an appeal at the Kaduna Division of the Appeal Court, after their petition challenging the victory of Mr Ganduje, was dismissed by the Kano Election Tribunal led by Justice Halima Shamaki.
In a statement on Sunday, signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, the PDP alleged that there are “plots to replace the judges with pliable ones, who have been compromised and briefed to alter justice and do the bidding of the APC and Governor Ganduje.”
“The PDP invites Nigerians to note that the sitting of the panel, which was moved from Monday, November 11 to Tuesday November 12, 2019 due to the public holiday on Monday, had been adjourned indefinitely.
“We have reports that this was due to pressure being mounted by the APC and agents of Governor Ganduje to alter the list of the judges.
“Our party has also been reliably informed that the indefinite adjournment was to enable the replacement of the already announced judges with pliable officials who will manipulate the judicial process in favour of the APC,” Mr Ologbondiyan said.
The opposition party also claimed that even before the commencement of the appeal hearing, supporters of Mr Ganduje have already started celebrating victory.
“Already, the supporters of Governor Ganduje are in jubilant mode, claiming that they have moved beyond the Court of Appeal, even when the panel is yet to commence sitting.
“Nigerians will recall that similar scenario played out during the composition of the Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, when the initial judges were changed after which the judgment went in favour of Ganduje and the APC to the chagrin of the people.
“With the on-going plot by the APC, Ganduje’s supporters have been going about boasting that the Court of Appeal judges, that were already announced and expected the commence sitting on Tuesday, will be changed to suit the interest of the APC and Governor Ganduje,” the statement said.
“The PDP cautions that any change in the already listed judges could trigger tension and crisis in the state, given the demand of the people for justice.
“Our party therefore calls on the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, not to allow anybody to draw her into the arena by ensuring that the already constituted panel is not in anyway altered,” it added.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has announced the appointment of Rahila Mukhtar as executive secretary of the Kano State Healthcare Contributory Management Agency (KCHMA).
KANO FOCUS reports that this is contained in a statement by his chief press secretary Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Thursday.
Yusuf also approved the appointment of Garba Bichi as managing director of the Kano State Water Board, Hassan Danbaffa as managing director of the Kano State Road Maintenance Agency (KARMA), Ibrahim Yakubu as managing director of the Kano State Urban Planning and Development Authority (KNUPDA) and Abdulkadir Abdussalam as the accountant-general.
KANO FOCUS reports that the government said a date for their swearing-in would be announced soon to enable them to assume the new responsibilities.
Headlines
Police arrest ninety-six suspects in Kano over attempts to disrupt inauguration activities
Ninety- six suspects were arrested by the Nigeria Police in Kano following alleged attempts to disrupt peace in the state during Monday’s inauguration ceremony.
KANO FOCUS reports that State Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Usaini Gumel, who disclosed this at a press conference held at the Command’s Bompai headquarters, Wednesday remarked that the arrest followed a series of crackdowns by his men.
He noted that the suspects, who were picked up differently across the state within the last one week included 56 suspected mobile phone robbers, 17 illicit drug related suspects, and 20 suspects who were arrested on account of attempts to commit violent crimes.
Items recovered from the suspects included five cartons of suspected Tramadol tablets, 83 sachets of suspected Diazepam and 371 pieces of rubber solution, including 12 parcels and 303 wraps of dried leaves.
Other recoveries from the suspects included 157 weapons, four locally made guns, one toy gun and 18 mobile phones as well as 34 ATMs .
He explained that preliminary investigations had led them to conclude that the suspects were saboteurs and sponsored criminals given that they were found with dangerous weapons and were also under the influence of drugs during their arrest
Usaini added that all the suspects would soon be charged to court even as he advised the members of the public to be law abiding.
He insisted that the Police would continue to match its words with actions until all the criminally minded persons in the state repented or decided to leave the state.
Aminu Abdullahi
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sought the withdrawal of its amended charge against the Kano Central senatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Abdulsalam Abdulkareem Zaura before the Federal high court sitting in Kano.
KANO FOCUS reports that prior to Wednesday’s retraction, EFCC at the last proceeding failed to produce prosecution witnesses to prove the criminal charges against the defendant, which necessitated another adjournment of the matter.
AA Zaura as fondly known is being held by the financial crime commission for alleged financial fraud in the sum of $1.3 million dollars in a prolong retrial involving a Kuwaiti nationale.
At the resumption of the matter before Justice Mohammad Nasir Yunusa on Wednesday, counsel to the EFCC, Aisha A.T Habeeb told the court the withdrawal of the application already served the defendant become pertinent to forestall possible delay in the case.
Although, Zaura through his counsel, Isyaka M. Dikko, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria SAN had filed a motion on notice seeking the court’s convienent to struck out the amended charge for lacking in substance.
Earlier, Zaura informed the court of it’s pending motion on notice dated 12th April,2023 prayed for the court lordship order of stay of proceedings of the trial pending the hearing and determination of application on a related matter before the supreme court.
Zaura through his attorney, Dikko SAN contended that it would amount to double exercise for the lower court to continue with the matter presently pending before the apex court.
The senior lawyer told Justice Yunusa that application before the Supreme Court is challenging the Appeal court judgement that order the retrial after the defendant already discharged and acquitted.
In a counter argument, the prosecution counsel, Habeeb pledged for outright dismissal of the defendant application, insisted the motion was orchestrated to delay the trial.
Barrister Habeeb countered the defendant on the pending application before the supreme court, insisted the matter has already being decided by the apex court. The EFCC lawyer cited references of previous matters which disallowed criminal trial and allowed a concurrent proceeding.
In a swift response, Zaura’s lawyer Dikko SAN counter the objection of the prosecution, reaffirming that the application before the supreme court is rather pending and yet to be decided.
Even though, the EFCC stood her ground on the conviction that Supreme Court had already dismissed Zaura’s application, the prosecution was unable to furnish the court with prove of evidence when asked to do so.
In his ruling, Justice Yunusa ordered the parties to supply the court with necessary documents to back their claims. The case is adjourned to 13th July 2023 for ruling on the application.
Abba Kabir Yusuf appoints Rahila Mukhtar to head KSCHMA
Police arrest ninety-six suspects in Kano over attempts to disrupt inauguration activities
Alleged $1.3 fraud: EFCC withdraws amended charges against Zaura
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Abba Kabir Yusuf set up task force on phone snatching in Kano
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