Headlines
Blasphemy: Yahya Aminu Sharif yet to get lawyer
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Two weeks after a Kano Shari’a court sentenced a singer Yahya Aminu Sharif to die by hanging for blaspheming Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the convict is yet to get a lawyer.
Kano state High Court spokesperson, Baba Jibo Ibrahim told Kano Focus that since the verdict no lawyer has shown interest in the case.
He however said some human rights organizations came to the court asking about the case, but are yet to offer their support.
Mr Ibrahim said the convict has up to September 09, 2020 to appeal the judgment.
Blasphemy: Kano council of Imams, Hisbah endorse Shari’ah court verdict
Death penalty: Kano convicted persons may not be executed
Kano Focus recalls that Mr Sharif, 22, was found guilty of blaspheming against the Prophet in a voice message he posted in a WhatsApp group in March 2020
Ganduje under pressure to sign death warrant
Meanwhile, the council of Imams in Kano, and various people in the state have urged the state Governor, Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, to sign the execution warrant of the convict to serve as a deterrent.
Chairman of the council, Muhammad Nasir Adam, said the government should be courageous enough to adhere to the court judgment regardless of political sentiments.
Mr Adam applauded the quickness of the court in arriving at the judgment.
The Islamic scholar said Islam is a religion of peace but has means of punishing transgressors.
Kano Muslim lawyers back the sentence
Also, the Muslim Lawyers’ Association (MULAN), Kano branch says there was nothing wrong with the death penalty passed on Sharif.
Chariman of the association, Muhammad Sani Garba said the act for which Sharif was convicted is recognized by the Kano State Sharia Penal Code and provided in section 382(B).
“The judge was right because the Supreme Court had decided in the case of Abubakar Shalla Vs State (2007) 12 MJSC at page 52-53 paragraph G-B that the position of the Law under Shariah is that any sane and adult Muslim, who insults, defames, or utter words or acts which are capable of bringing into disrepute, odium, contempt of the holy prophet such a person has committed a serious crime which is punishable by death.” Mr Garba stated.
He therefore urged Kano state government to comply with the conviction.
Human Rights Organizations challenge conviction
However, Amnesty International, and other Human Rights organizations have condemned the death sentence handed down to a Mr Sharif.
Amnesty also called on the state governor Abdullahi Ganduje to immediately quash the conviction.
“The authorities of Kano State of Nigeria must immediately quash the conviction and death sentence of Yahaya Sharif-Aminu, who was sentenced to death by hanging on spurious charges of blasphemy by the Kano Upper Shari’a Court.”
The group described the conviction as a travesty of justice, adding that the musician did not get a fair hearing.
“Furthermore, the imposition of the death penalty following an unfair trial violates the right to life.
“Yahaya Sharif-Aminu must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Osai Ojigho, Amnesty International Nigeria Country Director.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Saturday grilled former governor of Kano State, Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso over allegations of abuse of office, diversion of public funds and fraudulent allocation of government properties to cronies.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party, was first invited by the EFCC in September but failed to honour the invitation as reported by Channels TV.
An associate of the politician informed Channels Television that Kwankwanso may have been invited in relation to a petition by some retired employees of the Kano State Government.
The retired employees had told the EFCC that the former governor mismanaged pension remittances to the tune of N10 billion between 2011 and 2015, to fund a housing project for his cronies.
EFCC spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren did not comment on the interrogation of the former governor when contacted on Saturday.
Aminu Abdullahi
Crisis rocked Kano chapter of All Progressive Congress (APC), as Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje and faction loyal to former governor of Kano and serving Senator Ibrahim Shekarau held parallel state congress.
KANO FOCUS reports that while Ganduje group held their congress at Sani Abacha stadium, faction loyal to Shekarau had their own at Janguza town, Tofa local government area.
Ganduje’s led group endorsed Abdullahi Abbas as state chairman of APC for a second term in a consensus arrangement, while the faction loyal to Shekarau announced Ahmadu Haruna Zago as newly elected chairman of APC in Kano state.
Reports shows that the security have earlier disrupted Shekarau’s camp congress at Sani Abacha youth centre and sealed the premises before they moved to Janguza where they held the election.
Below are some pictures of the parallel Congress.
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje while voting at Sani Abacha stadium
Governor Abdullahi Ganduje with APC chieftains
Delegates at Sani Abacha stadium
Ballot box
Factional chairman of Kano APC Ahmadu Haruna Zago
Ahmadu Haruna Zago and Abdilkadir Jobe
APC factional congress at Janguza
Headlines
NCC moves to address poor network service at densely populated Kano markets – Prof Danbatta.
Nasiru Yusuf
The Executive Vice Chairman of the Nigerian Communication Commission (NCC) Umar Garba Danbatta says the commission will address the poor network at Kantin Kwari, Sabongari Singer and Kurmi markets.
KANO FOCUS reports that Danbatta announced revealed this while responding to complaint raised by a participant at a two day stakeholders consultative meeting tagged ‘talk to the regulator’ organised by Nigerian Communications Commission in Kano.
The complainer noted that that there is poor telecommunications service in Kantin Kwari, Sabongari, Singer and Kurmi markets in Kano metropolitan area.
Danbatta responded that the commission will deploy investigative team to determine the nature of the problem and proffer solution.
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta
“We have the capacity to monitor the performance of MNOs, that is the most important thing. Because of this valid observation by our stakeholder, we are going to direct our searchlight in those areas where we think the quality of service needs to improve.
“And if it is necessary, we will send the investigative team what is the nature of the quality of service in such places with a view to improve the quality of the service,” Danbatta said.
The Executive Vice Chairman explained that the commission considers stakeholder feedback “as a critical component of our forward – looking regulatory model.”
Prof. Umar Garba Danbatta with senior management staff of NCC
“Hence, the overarching objective of this forum is to get direct feedback from our licensees on how we, as a regulator, are meeting your expectations, and on areas where we can improve our regulatory service, particularly those that have to do with licensing.
“We also intend to use this forum to seek your support for the several initiatives that the commission has carefully developed in our quest to enhance market opportunities for all our licensees.”
Danbatta added that the commission will focus it’s energies for the next five years on five strategic pillars.
Participants
The pillars according to him include “organisational renewal for operational efficiency and regulatory excellence.
“Facilitate the provision of infrastructure for a digital economy which fosters national development.
“Improve quality service (QoS) for enhanced consumer quality of experience (QoE).
“Promote fair competition, inclusive growth, increased investment and innovative services as well facilitate strategic collaboration and partnership.”
Participants
He disclosed that the federal government has articulated a number of critical policy objectives for the sector such as those articulated in the National Digital Economy Policy and Strategy (NDEPS), the Nigerian National Broadband Plan (2020-2025), the Revised National Digital Identity Policy for SIM Registration among others.
He added that the instruments require the full and unalloyed commitment of all stakeholders to ensure their successful implementation, and the meeting in Kano would provide a veritable channel for licensees’ buy-in.
Participants
In his address the Director of Licensing and Authorisation Department, Mohammed Babajika, said the commission is further liberalising the telecoms industry by finalising the framework for Mobile Virtual Network Operators (MVNOs) and is currently reviewing existing regulations.
“The Commission is also finalising the Information Memorandum (IM) for 5G deployment, emerging trends like Internet of Things (loT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), Over The Top (OTT) Services and Big Data Analytics, all aimed at initiating strategies to improve service delivery that is accessible and affordable.
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NCC moves to address poor network service at densely populated Kano markets – Prof Danbatta.
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