Headlines
Ganduje has no right to recognize court dissolved emirates – lawyer
Maude Rabiu Gwadabe
A Kano-based human rights lawyer, Abba Hikima says the state government has no right to continue recognizing the four court dissolved emirates following its decision to submit a new bill to the House of Assembly.
KANO FOCUS recalls that the government has submitted an executive bill requesting the creation of Bichi, Gaya, Karaye, and Rano emirates after their dissolution by a Kano High Court.
Mr Hikima told KANO FOCUS that Kano governor Abdullahi Ganduje has the right to either accept the court order or appeal the judgement.
“Submitting a new bill to the Assembly indicates that the government has accepted the High Court’s judgment.
“It is therefore incumbent upon Mr Ganduje to recognize Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II as the only Emir in Kano state pending the passage of the new bill.” He said.
Kano gov’t approves fresh bill to restore 4 emirates sacked by court
Obey court order that dissolved new emirates–Group tells Ganduje
Kano gov’t defies court, says sacked emirs still recognized
JUST IN: Kano court dissolves 4 emirates created by Ganduje
He added that even if the new bill is passed into law, its commencement date cannot be retroactive.
“That means if a new law is approved the government has to issue new letters of appointment and staffs of office to the selected emirs.” He said.
Mr Hikima explained that the government cannot appeal the High Court judgment after it has transmitted the new bill to the Assembly.
Double-standard
The Kano state government had earlier vowed to continue recognizing the newly created Emirates and their first class emirs despite the verdict.
In line with this policy, Mr Ganduje was seen paying homage to Aminu Ado, who was the Emir of Bichi before the dissolution.
Other government agents including commissioners and heads of agencies and parastatals have also continued paying courtesy calls to the other emirs whose appointments were similarly nullified.
Muhammad Garba, Kano state commissioner of information issued both the statement recognizing the new emirates despite the court verdict and the statement announcing the approval of an executive bill seeking the creation of the new emirates.
He has however remained silent about the government’s seeming double-standards in dealing with the issue.
Mr Garba did not answer his phone when contacted by KANO FOCUS and has not replied to a text message sent to him about the matter.
Respect Public Opinion
However a Kano-based activist, Kabiru Dakata has likened the nullification of the four emirs’ positions to the nullification of the elections of House of Representative members.
“Alhassan Ado Doguwa is no longer a member of the House but can resume his seat if he wins a properly conducted election.
“Also the court ruled that the emirs and their emirates emerged out of a faulty process and therefore stand dissolved until the right process is followed.” He said.
Mr Dakata, Director General, Centre for Awareness on Justice and Accountability (CAJA) urged the Kano state House of Assembly to follow due process in considering the new executive bill submitted by Mr Ganduje.
“The House should conduct a public hearing between the second and third readings of the bill.
“The legislators should also make sure they respect the public opinions expressed at the hearing.
“But if they have already made up their minds to pass the bill no matter what Kano citizens want, they shouldn’t waste people’s time. He 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
Danbatta to Receive National Productivity Order of Merit Award for Outstanding Contributions to Industry
Abba Kabir Yusuf set up task force on phone snatching in Kano
Teenager stabs mother to death at Rimin Kebe quarters
Emir Bayero commended Ayade for Appointing Kano Indigenes Commissioner, Aides
NCC expresses commitment to digital job creation for youth
Salat: The Distinction Between Muslim And Non-Muslim
