Headlines
Hanifa Abubakar: Court orders trial-within-a-trial
Nasiru Yusuf
The Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Usman Na’abba has fixed February 9 to deliver ruling on trial within a trial in respect of Abdulmalik Tanko and Fatima Jibrin’s confessional statements sought to be tendered as evidence by the prosecution’s counsel to prove their case against the three defendants who allegedly conspired, kidnapped and killed a five year old Hanifa Abubakar.
KANO FOCUS reports that when the case resumed on Thursday for the continuation of hearing, Prosecution counsel Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice Kano
Musa Abdullahi Lawan sought to tender two confessional statements of the defendants.
However, the defence counsel Mukhtar Labaran Usman objected to the admissibility of the statements, arguing that the statements of Abdulmalik and Fatima were taken under threat and compulsion urging the court to dismiss it relying on section 29 sub section 2 and 3 of Evidence Act 2011.
Earlier in his submission during trial within trial, the investigative officer attached to Anti kidnapping squad of Kano Command Ridwan Ibrahim told the court that he took the defendants’ statements without any threat or compulsion.
He denied using electrical device on witness while taking his statement.
He told the court that he took the statement in the presence of his colleagues noting that there was light, fan and it was an open detective office where statement of the party involved in case were taken.
Also in his testimony, another policeman Muhammad Yanfa told the court that Ibrahim recorded the defendant’s statement in his presence.
“It was in my presence, it was a busy office where my colleagues record statement of parties who came in respect of their case.
“A lighting and brightening detective office. I was there from beginning to the end. The defendants were not tortured, intimidated or harassed. They signed the statement without any compulsion” the witness said.
Other witnesses who testified on Thursday include Sani Hussaini Kyarma, Jamila Muhammmad Sani, a wife to Abdulmalik Tanko and Jummai Danladi making the total of 8 prosecution witnesses so far.
Justice Naabba adjourned the case to February 9 and 10 for ruling on trial within trial and continuation of hearing.
The last sitting
On Wednesday the Court had admitted 10 exhibits tendered by prosecution counsel Mr Lawan against suspected killers.
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.
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 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 two 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.”
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Society for Family Health has appointed Dayyabu Mahmud Yusuf as Group Director, Impact Partnership and Engagement, as well as Managing Director of RevoHealth HMO Ltd., in a move aimed at strengthening healthcare access and sustainable health systems across Nigeria and Africa.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appointment was announced on the organisation’s official Facebook page on Saturday.
According to SFH, the new leadership appointment signals the beginning of a fresh phase focused on improving impact, expanding access to healthcare services, and advancing sustainable health transformation initiatives across the continent.
The organisation stated that the appointment reflects its commitment to building integrated health systems and promoting innovative platforms in healthcare financing, workforce development, advisory services, and sustainable health interventions.
SFH expressed confidence that Yusuf’s leadership would further strengthen the organisation’s impact and deliver lasting value to communities across Nigeria and beyond.
Yusuf is a seasoned public health professional with more than 18 years of experience in the design and implementation of public health, social marketing, and health systems strengthening programmes in Nigeria.
He is widely recognised as a health systems expert, health economist, programme management specialist, and community engagement practitioner, with extensive experience in reproductive, maternal, newborn and child health (RMNCH), HIV/AIDS, malaria, child survival, and nutrition interventions.
He has also built strong technical expertise across the family planning and maternal, newborn and child health continuum, while leading large and complex teams on multiple development programmes.
Yusuf possesses strong advocacy and stakeholder engagement skills, having worked closely with senior government officials, lawmakers, and influential traditional and religious leaders to drive institutional and behavioural changes that support effective programme implementation.
A seasoned trainer, Yusuf has trained various cadres of health professionals and is known for his practical expertise in participatory community engagement approaches.
He holds a degree in Microbiology and a Master’s degree in Health Economics from Bayero University Kano, as well as an MSc in Microbiology from University of Abuja.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A former Governor of Kano State Dr. Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso, has commended the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for ordering a fresh investigation into the disappearance of activist and lecturer Abubakar Idris Dadiyata.
KANO FOCUS reports that Kwankwaso made the remarks in a statement posted on his Facebook page on Saturday following recent testimony by a former aide to an ex-state governor, who allegedly claimed that police officers were responsible for Dadiyata’s disappearance in Kaduna.
Dadiyata, a lecturer and social media commentator, was abducted in 2019, and his whereabouts have remained unknown since then.
According to Kwankwaso, he and his associates have consistently advocated for a thorough investigation into the incident and for those responsible to be brought to justice.
He described the Inspector-General’s directive for a comprehensive investigation as a “decisive and long-overdue action,” expressing hope that the process would uncover the truth behind the disappearance.
The former governor also urged police authorities to place individuals named in the allegations under close surveillance to prevent interference with the investigation.
Kwankwaso further called on the government to ensure that Dadiyata, if found alive, and his family receive adequate compensation for the trauma and hardship they have endured over the years.
He commended members of the public for sustaining advocacy efforts on the case and also praised Abba Hikima Fagge for what he described as his important role in the latest developments surrounding the investigation.
Kwankwaso expressed optimism that the renewed probe would ultimately deliver truth and justice in the case.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited has announced that its ex-depot price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) remains unchanged, reaffirming its commitment to stability in Nigeria’s domestic energy market.
In a statement issued by Esan Sunday, Head of Media Relations, Branding and Communication, the company said sustaining the current price reflects its efforts to cushion the broader economy against external shocks. It noted that by absorbing prevailing cost pressures, the refinery is helping to moderate inflationary risks, promote energy affordability, and ensure uninterrupted fuel supply amid ongoing global uncertainties.
The company reiterated its dedication to the steady supply of high-quality petroleum products to the Nigerian market, while aligning with national objectives of price stability and energy security.
It also urged the public to rely solely on official communications from the refinery for accurate and up-to-date information regarding its operations and pricing.
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Dangote Refinery maintains ex-depot price of PMS
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