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Hanifa Abubakar: Court admits 10 exhibits against suspected killers
Nasiru Yusuf
Kano state High Court presided over by Justice Usman Na’abba has admitted 10 exhibits tendered by prosecution counsel Musa Lawan against suspected killers.
KANO FOCUS reports that the prosecution counsel who is also the state Attorney General tendered the exhibits through third witness police inspector Ubale Usman attached to Anti Kidnapping squad Kano command.
The exhibits include coroner’s form duly signed by a medical doctor (exhibit 1), four mobile phones (exhibit 2) comprised of three used by the prime suspect to contact Hanifa’s parents and one belonging to Hanifa’s mother, photocopy of Hanifa’s picture obtained from the suspects in the course of investigation (exhibit 3) and N30,300 (exhibit 4).
Lawyers in the courtroom
Other exhibits include shovel used allegedly used in burying late Hanifa, school uniform badge (exhibit 6) cardigan (exhibit 7) and white veil (exhibit 8).
The remaining are two photographs given to police by Hanifa’s parent when they reported her missing (exhibit 9) and computer generated photographs duly certified by IT expert in line with section 54 of evidence act.
The third prosecution witnesses told the court that in the course of investigation Abdulmamik Tanko confessed how he kidnapped Hanifa, killed her with rat poison and buried her in a shallow grave at Northwest Preparatory College with the support of his friend Hashim Isyaku.
He said the suspects have later led the team of SSS and police to where they buried the victim.
While cross examining the prosecution witness, the defense counsel Mukhtar Labaran Usman asked him how he established the cardigan and white veils belongs to late Hanifa. Mr Usman answered that it was through the victims parents.
The trial judge adjourned the case to Thursday for continuation of hearing as the case was slated for March 2 and 3.
The trial
Mr Tanko and one of his alleged accomplices, Isyaku, have pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy but denied four other charges in the murder trial.
However, the other suspect, Fatima Jibrin, denied all the charges at the previous sitting
The suspects were arraigned at state High Court No. 6 before judge Usman Na-Abba.
They were charged with criminal conspiracy, kidnapping, concealing/keeping in confinement a kidnapped person and culpable homicide, offences contrary to Sections 97, 274, 277 and 221 of the Penal Code.
Hanifa was allegedly kidnapped and murdered by Mr Tanko, who was her teacher, and the other suspects.
The Attorney General had earlier informed the court that sometime in Nov. 2021, the defendants conspired and kidnapped the five-year-old Hanifa while she was returning from Islamiyya school.
He alleged that Tanko, the proprietor of Nobel Kids Comprehensive College, Kano, had on Dec. 4, 2021, kidnapped and held Hanifa hostage in his house situated at Tudun Murtala for days and killed her with poison.
“In the process, the second defendant Isyaku buried her in a shallow grave in the premises of Northwest Preparatory School situated at Kwanar Yan Ghana, Tudun Murtala, Kano.
“On Dec. 27, 2021, the third defendant Musa wrote a letter to the victim’s family, on behalf of Tanko, demanding the sum of six million Naira as ransom.”
Journalists barred from covering court proceedings
KANO FOCUS had earlier reported how Attorney-General, has barred journalists from covering the trial on Wednesday.
Mr Lawan said the decision is to enable operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) to testify before the court.
He also directed reporters to vacate the corridor of the court premises until after the first session (security testimony).
Journalists stranded
When asked on why journalists were barred from witnessing the testimony of SSS operatives, Lawan said the proceedings involves testifying and cross examination on how investigation was conducted which led to the arrest of suspected kidnappers.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf has approved the appointment of Mustapha Adamu Indabawa as the new Managing Director of Kano state-owned Abubakar Rimi Television Corporation (ARTV) and Yusuf Kabir Gaya, Executive Chairman, State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was contained in a statement signed by the governor’s chief press secretary Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa on Wednesday.
Yusuf Kabir Gaya
According to the statement,the Governor had also approved the appointment of Hon. Salisu A. Kabo, Director General, Youth Empowerment, Dr. Hamisu Sadi Ali, Director General, Debt Management Office, and Abduljabbar Mohammed Umar, Director General, KAN-INVEST.
Others appointed by the Governor are:Yusuf Kabir Gaya, Hamisu Dogon Nama, Managing Director, Kantin Kwari Market,Abdulkadir B. Hussain, Managing Director, Sabon Gari Market and Dr. Kabiru Sani Magashi, Acting Managing Director, KASCO.
The rest are: Aminu Aminu Mai-Famfo, Deputy Managing Director, KASCO and Engr. Abubakar Sadiq J. Deputy Managing Director, Kano Line.
The statement said the appointments which were with immediate effect, were made “pursuant to the quest of placing appropriate hands to improve good governance.”
It added that the Governor charged the appointees to use their wealth of experience in the discharge of their engagements so as to diligently serve the people of the state and justify the confidence reposed in them.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Kano State Governor Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf has declared wednesday, October 4, as Public Holiday in commoration of the birth of the noble prophet of Allah, Muhammad Peace and blessings of Allah be upon him.
KANO FOCUS reports that the declaration was contained in a statement issued by the commissioner of information and internal affairs Alhaji Baba Halilu Dantiye in the early hours of Wednesday.
Takutaha celebration
The Governor urged the people of the state to use occassion to reflect on the teachings of our noble Prophet and imbibe them in their daily affairs.
He also urged the people to pray pervently for peace and prosperity to reign in Kano and Nigeria at large.
He prayed to Allah to see us through this tough period and bless us with bumper havest in this rainy season and the coming dry farming season.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Private Health Institutions Management Agency (PHIMA) has sealed off a health facility, Reach Clinic for noncompliance with the law establishing the agency and standard operation guidelines.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Director General of the Agency, Prof. Salisu Ahmad announced the sealing off of the facility after leading the enforcement on the clinic situated in Gyadi-Gyadi quarters in Kano metropolis.
In a statement by the Information Officer, Ministry of Health, Ibrahim Abdullahi, the Director General said the facility was sealed off because it was opened before completing the documentation and guidelines laid down by the PHIMA, necessary for opening any private health institution.
The statement reads, “The DG stated that the information the clinic presented to the Agency was totally contrary with the record they have in possession regarding the hospital when they were invited for discussion.
“He noted with dismay the fact that the staff names the Reach clinic submitted to the PHIMA as their registered staff were not even in the state so much that some are no longer working with the clinic.
“Unfortunately, the doctors we got working at the time of our arrival at the hospital were not the ones whose names were given to us. In view of this, we deem it pertinent to close the clinic until they abide by all the rules and standard operation guidelines because they are not even permitted to start operations.
“He recalled that the law of the PHIMA that empowers it to oversee activities of the private health institutions has stipulated it that, for any centre to be opened, it must come to the Agency to complete the required documentation regarding its staff and the activities it is going to undertake.
“The DG added that with all these, such a centre wouldn’t be allowed to start operation until when the Agency goes and examine as well as assess the information submitted to them and become satisfied with.
“Reach clinic just go ahead and open the hospital without our permission despite the lapses they have. That is why we sealed off the clinic. It will remain closed until we are given the genuine information that we require and become convince with.
“The DG pointed out that Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf is much concern with the health of the people of the state, maintaining that the Governor is so committed and determined to see that the healthcare system is robust and standardized.
“He noted that since coming on board, His Excellency is being up and doing towards fulfilling the promises he made on health sector and the commitment is yielding positive results as people can attest to.
“If our amiable Governor can deny himself sleep in the night and goes out supervising health facilities what of us he entrusted to steer the wheel of healthcare system of the state? We must also not relent. We must work hard to complement to this noble effort of our leader.
“On this note, I want to call on private health institutions in the state to ensure they are operating in accordance with the standard guidelines and laws establishing the PHIMA. We will surely not hesitate to close any clinic that fails to follow due process.”
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