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 Ibrahim
Former Vice President, Architect Muhammad Namadi Sambo, has commended the Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, for his bold decision to declare a state of emergency on education in the state.
KANO FOCUS reports that Sambo, who paid a condolence visit to Governor Yusuf over the death of renowned business mogul and elder statesman, Alhaji Aminu Alhassan Dantata, expressed admiration for the administration’s commitment to infrastructural renewal.
This was contained in a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson Sunusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Monday.
“As an architect, I am particularly passionate about the ongoing rehabilitation and beautification of the Kano Government House,” Sambo noted.
“I was very happy and have been looking forward to the opportunity to commend you in person.”
He described the Governor’s efforts as “giant strides,” adding that the infrastructural transformation under the Yusuf-led administration is evident across Kano.
“Mr. Governor, you are doing well,” the former Vice President added. “I have been following the news, and on my arrival to Kano, I personally noticed the impressive infrastructural developments everywhere. You have effectively turned the Government House into a construction site.”
Governor Yusuf thanked the former Vice President for his visit and words of encouragement, reaffirming his administration’s commitment to restoring Kano’s glory through purposeful governance and people-oriented projects.
His Excellency Namadi Sambo was in cimpany of Chairman Unity Bank, former Director General of NEMA Muhammad Sani Sidi and a host of others.
In another development, Sen. Abubakar Sani Bello led another powerful delegation to condole with the Governor and the good people of Kano over the death of late Alhaji Amunu Dantata.
The former Governor of Niger state was accompanied by Sen. Bashir Garba Lado, Sen. Muhammad Ibn Na’Allah, Alhaji Muhammad Sani Abacha among others.
The Adolescent Girls Initiative For Learning and Empowerment (AGILE) Project has organized a sensitization workshop for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) clubs in 50 secondary schools across Kano State.
KANO FOCUS reports that that ten students, who were selected from each participating school, received the training on understanding GBV, preventive measures, and appropriate actions to take when faced with such situations.
Speaking at the closing of the training on Friday, Bashir Kabir Rabi’u, the Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) officer of the AGILE Project in Kano State, said the workshop was aimed at raising awareness among female students on how to recognize and avoid GBV, as well as how to respond effectively if it occurs.
“This workshop brought together 50 school-based clubs established to fight GBV.
“We trained 10 students from each school to equip them with knowledge about gender-based violence,” he stated.
Rabi’u noted that the awareness campaign is part of efforts to ensure a safe and conducive learning environment for students.
He explained that the AGILE Project, which is supported by the World Bank in collaboration with the Kano State Ministry of Education, facilitated the program.
In her remarks, the Principal of Kukar Bulikiya Girls Secondary School, Hannatu Ado Gwaram, commended the AGILE program for organizing the training.
She pledged that the school would continue sensitizing students on ways to avoid becoming victims of GBV.
KANO FOCUS reports that the event also featured drama presentations and educative plays aimed at driving home the message of gender-based violence prevention.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Partnership For Learning For All in Nigeria (PLANE) in collaboration with Kano state government has commenced a 5-day workshop to develop a 2026-2028 Medium-Term Sector Strategy (MTSS) aimed at enhancing quality education.
KANO FOCUS reports that the workshop brings together stakeholders from the Ministry of Education, Budget and Planning, Finance, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organisations.
Speaking at the occasion, Commissioner of Education Dr Ali Haruna Makoda said Kano State Government has allocated 31.5% of its 2025 budget to boost quality education in the state.
According to him the budgetary allocation is part of a strategic plan to achieve quality education through due process and implementation.
Dr. Makoda emphasised the importance of strategic planning and implementation in achieving better results in the education sector.
He urged participants to implement what they would learn for the betterment of the state education sector.
Participants at the occasion
The Technical Adviser to the Governor on Education Reforms, Haladu Mohammed, explained that the workshop would create a solid foundation for a 3-year education plan to meet the yearnings and aspirations of the people in the state.
This initiative demonstrates the Kano State Government’s commitment to improving the education sector, aligning with its recent efforts to enhance education quality.
Kwankwaso: The Northern Titan Tinubu Needs for 2027
Namadi Sambo commends Gov. Yusuf for declaring state of emergency on education
Northern Nigeria’s Crossroads to Renewal
AGILE Kano takes awareness campaign on Gender-Based Violence to schools
PLANE partners Kano govt to develop MTSS for education sector
NDLEA Kano uses Dambe to combat drug abuse
Tears, Prayers, and Riyals: A Hajj to Remember with Gov. Yusuf
UNICEF asks Kano to declare state of emergency on polio
Kano Govt declares Thursday public holiday for Islamic new year
