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Hanifa Abubakar: Court admits suspects’ confessional statement as exhibit

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Nasiru Yusuf

The Kano State High Court presided over by Justice Usman Na’abba ruled that the confessional statement of Abdulmalik Tanko, the alleged killer of five year old Hanifa Abubakar and his accomplice Fatima Jibril Musa was obtained voluntarily without without threat or intimidation as alleged by the defense counsel.

KANO FOCUS reports that at the last adjourned day the lead defense counsel, Mukhtar Usman Kabo argued that the confessional statements of Tanko and Musa sought to be tendered as exhibit by prosecution was obtained under duress, threat and intimidation.

During trial-within-trial proceeding conducted earlier, Lurwan Ibrahim, a police sergeant testified that he recorded the statement of Tanko and Musa in conducive atmosphere.

Under cross examination, Ibrahim denied using electric shocking device on defendant while obtaining his statement.

”It was an open office, there was light and fan. I recorded their statements in front of my colleagues” he stated

Similarly in their separate testimonies, Police Inspector, Muhammad Yanfa and ASP Sani Hussaini Kyarma told the court that the confessional statements of both Tanko and Musa were obtained voluntarily without torture, threat, intimidation or harassment.

In his ruling on Wednesday, Justice Usman Naabba said based on the evidences adduced before the court, the two confessional statements were recorded voluntarily without any harassment, duress or torture.

”I found Sergeant Lurwan as cogent and reliable witness. I believed there were so many people in the office when the statements of the defendants were taken”

” The defense counsel neither shake nor contradicted the testimonies of the 3 police officers who testified during the mini trial.”

The trial judge maintained that Ms Musa’s testimony revealed that she was neither beaten nor threaten.

He further maintained that Tanko has failed to mention the police officer who brought him out of the cell and tortured him.

Justice Naabba, consequently adjourned the case to March 22 for continuation of hearing.

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Rurum, Rogo finally dump NNPP for APC  

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The gale of defection from opposition political parties intensifies as two members of the opposition New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), Abdullahi Sani Rogo and Kabiru Alhassan Rurum, have defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

KANO FOCUS reports that both lawmakers represent Rano/Bunkure/Kibiya and Karaye/Rogo federal constituency of Kano State.

 

Both lawmakers announced their defection at plenary presided over by Speaker Abbas Tajudeen.

 

On hand to witness the defection on the floor of the House was the national chairman of the APC, Dr. Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, accompanied by some members of the national working committee of the party.

 

However, the Minority Whip, Isa Ali JC, faulted the defection of the lawmakers on the basis that it was against constitutional provisions.

 

As of Thursday, no fewer than 30 members of opposition political parties have dumped their parties to join the APC.

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Power Shift in Kano: Ganduje Family Bows to Emir Sanusi as Nephew Gets Turbaned

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In a dramatic political twist that may redefine Kano’s traditional power matrix, former Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje has thrown his weight behind Emir Muhammadu Sanusi II, as the monarch turbaned Ganduje’s nephew, Alhaji Jamilu Sani Umar, as the new Village Head of Ganduje.

This development signals a major shift in political allegiance, coming from a family that once stood at the heart of Emir Sanusi’s 2020 dethronement.

The former village head, Alhaji Sani Ganduje — who was removed from office — had openly challenged the Kano Emirate over the legitimacy of his removal, deepening the rift between the Gandujes and Sanusi’s loyalists.

However, following the recent reinstatement of Emir Sanusi II by Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf, political equations in Kano have shifted rapidly.

In what many see as a move to realign with the prevailing tide, Dr. Ganduje reportedly convened a strategic meeting with his extended family and directed full support for the new appointment.

Rather than sending a delegate, the entire Ganduje family physically accompanied Jamilu to the Emir’s palace, a powerful public gesture of submission and allegiance to Sanusi’s throne.

Political analysts interpret this as Ganduje’s calculated pivot — recognizing Emir Sanusi’s regained influence and perhaps seeking to reposition himself within Kano’s changing political terrain.

The move also draws a clear contrast with the dethroned Emir Aminu Ado Bayero, who enjoyed close ties with Ganduje during his administration but is now increasingly sidelined.

By endorsing the turbaning and realigning his family under Sanusi’s leadership, Ganduje appears to be reading the political handwriting on the wall — that Emir Sanusi’s return is not just ceremonial, but a restoration of deep-rooted traditional authority with growing political resonance.

As Kano continues to balance tradition and politics, the Ganduje family’s public allegiance to Emir Sanusi may be the clearest indication yet that the old guard is adapting to a new power order.

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Kano legislator, Masu dumps NNPP for APC

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Kano legislator Masu dumps NNPP for APC

 

 

 

 

A member of the New Nigeria People’s Party (NNPP) and a member of the Kano State House of Assembly representing Sumaila Constituency, Hon. Zubairu Hamza Masu, has defected from the NNPP to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

 

KANO FOCUS reports that Masu addressed his resignation letter to the Speaker, Ismail Falgore, and it was read during Monday’s plenary session.

 

However, Masu cited internal crises bedevilling the NNPP, including factional disputes and ongoing litigations, as his reasons for leaving the party.

 

He specifically emphasised the multiple claims of leadership within the party at both state and national levels, naming Dr Suleiman Hashim Dungurawa and Senator Mas’ud El-Jibrin Doguwa as those claiming control at the state level, while Dr Ahmed Ajuji and Dr Agbo Major were also asserting authority at the national level.

 

Masu’s resignation takes effect from 12 May 2025, and he pledged his full allegiance to the APC leadership at all levels.

 

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