Headlines
Court vacates order restraining Kano Govt from borrowing N10bn to install CCTV
Nasiru Yusuf
The Federal High Court presided over by Justice AM Liman has vacated an order restraining Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje from borrowing ten biillion Naira to install CCTV camera.
KANO FOCUS reports that the presiding Judge Justice AM Liman of the Federal High Court, Kano, ruled that the Plaintiff, Yusuf Isiyaku Rabiu, has misled the Court, therefore the interim restraining order in the case has been vacated.
The Presiding Judge ruled that, the plaintiff has misrepresented the fact in filing the case, as such the order lacks Locos Standi. Therefore, he could not continue with the case and “hereby vacated it”.
The Judge has transferred the Case to a vacation Judge in Abuja as the Court proceeded to a vacation.
It would be recall that the Kano First Forum, a Non Governmental Organization has approached the Court to restrain Kano state Government from borrowing ten billion Naira to purchase CCTV Camera.
Earlier, Counsel to the respondents, Muhammad Dahuru, filed a motion, dated July 7, pleading to the court to discharge and set aside the earlier order it granted against his clients.
“As a result of security challenges based on banditry and kidnapping in the country, which needed to be seriously addressed for the protection of lives and properties.”
Counsel to the applicant, Badamasi Suleiman, filed five written addresses opposing the application filed by the respondent seeking to discharge the interim order it earlier granted restraining the state government from borrowing N10 billion.
KANO FOCUS reports that KFF is challenging the Governor of Kano State from borrowing the sum of N10 billion on the grounds of alleged non compliance with rules and regulations governing loan transactions.
The applicants, in their prayers, challenged the state government without complying with Debt Management Office Establishment Act, 2003, Fiscal Responsibility Act, 2007 and Laws of Kano State, 1968.
Kano Assembly approved Ganduje’s request to borrow N10b
It will be recall that the Kano House of Assembly had on June 15, approved a request by Abdullahi Ganduje, the governor of the state, to obtain a loan of N10 billion.
The request was contained in a letter dated March 18, 2022, which the governor sent to the assembly.
The governor stated that the loan is to fund a closed-circuit television (CCTV camera) project in the Kano metropolis.
The letter stated that the loan will be obtained from Access Bank PLC For Security Infrastructure Development.
The lawmakers argued that Kano is one of the most peaceful states in the country as such there is a need for the government to install technology to protect the state against internal aggression.
The Assembly had earlier approved a N10 billion loan for the project. The governor argued that the original loan for the project was inadequate.
The previous loans
In March 2021, the Assembly also approved Mr Ganduje’s request to access N20 billion domestic loans to fund capital projects such as the Janguza-Durum-Kabo-Karaye road, the completion of the Dangi flyover, the construction of township roads in Rano, Bichi, Gaya and Karaye emirates.
The governor had earlier in November 2020 requested and got the approval from the House of Assembly to obtain a N20 billion loan fund for the public health sector to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Similarly, in March 2020, the Assembly equally approved Ganduje’s request to access the N50 billion domestic debt market to execute infrastructure projects.
According to the available record obtained from the website of the Debt Management Office (DMO), Kano State’s debt profile as of March 31, 2022, hit N127,847,657,184.82 (Domestic).
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, a magistrate in Kano State, has been recommended for appointment as a judge of the Kano State High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
KANO FOCUS reports that Hassan is among four judicial officers from Kano State recommended for elevation to the High Court bench out of 28 candidates selected nationwide.
The other nominees are Halima Yahuza Ahmad, Abdullahi Abdulsalam Bature and Musa Ibrahim Umar.
The NJC disclosed the recommendations in a statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, following its consideration of candidates for judicial appointments across the country.
The council said all recommended candidates were expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors without delay.
Hassan’s recommendation follows her years of service in the Kano State judiciary, where she has reportedly distinguished herself through diligence, professionalism and careful handling of cases.
She has been commended for her commitment to judicial ethics, diligence and fairness in the discharge of her responsibilities, achievements that contributed to her career progression within the judiciary.
Her elevation is part of a broader development in the Kano State judiciary, with four magistrates from the state successfully scaling the selection process for appointment to the High Court.
The four nominees were reportedly assessed during the selection exercise and demonstrated strong professional competence, while their service records were found to be free of adverse remarks.
Their recommendation marks a significant step in their judicial careers and is expected to strengthen the judicial workforce in Kano State upon their formal appointment.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Kano State Accountability Forum on Education (K-SAFE) says it has tracked nearly 1,000 education projects across the state as part of efforts to promote transparency, accountability and effective service delivery in the education sector.
KANO FOCUS the coalition’s Co-Chair, Dr Auwalu Halilu, disclosed this on Wednesday during an advocacy visit to the Kano State Ministry of Public Procurement and Project Monitoring.
Dr Halilu said K-SAFE had monitored projects in more than six local government areas, covering interventions implemented by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB), Kano State Senior Secondary Education Management Board and Local Education Authorities (LEAs).
He explained that the monitoring exercise involved physical inspections and documentation of projects through photographs, videos and geographical locations.
According to him, reports of the findings had been submitted to relevant ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs), highlighting projects that met required standards and those requiring further attention.
He cited Rimin Gado Local Government Area, where the coalition tracked more than 80 education projects, adding that it planned to extend the exercise to all 44 local government areas of the state.
The K-SAFE Co-Chair said the visit was aimed at presenting the coalition’s activities to the ministry and exploring areas of collaboration in procurement and project monitoring.
He called for the inclusion of civil society organisations in procurement and monitoring processes, particularly tender board activities and field inspections, to strengthen independent oversight and provide them with firsthand information on government projects.
Dr Halilu also requested the ministry’s support in organising capacity-building programmes for civil society organisations on procurement procedures, due process, project standardisation, monitoring and evaluation.
He said such training would enhance civil society organisations’ understanding of procurement regulations and the technical requirements guiding project implementation.
Responding, the Commissioner for Public Procurement and Project Monitoring, Dr Nura Iro Ma’aji, welcomed the delegation and acknowledged the coalition’s contributions to supporting the state government’s efforts in the education sector.
He expressed the ministry’s readiness to collaborate with K-SAFE through information sharing and other relevant engagements to strengthen accountability and ensure compliance with due process.
“From our side, we are ready to work together because we know what they have been doing to support Kano State Government in the education sector,” he said.
Dr Halilu further disclosed that the coalition and its partner organisations had carried out the monitoring exercise without financial sponsorship, describing it as a demonstration of their commitment to transparency and accountability.
He reaffirmed K-SAFE’s commitment to sustaining engagement with relevant government agencies, civil society organisations and the media to strengthen oversight of education projects across Kano State.
Ibrahim Khalil
Government Secondary School (GSS) Army Day Bukavu has emerged champion in both the male and female categories of the maiden Kano State Secondary Schools Tug of War Competition.
KANO FOCUS reports that the school clinched the double victory at the competition, which ended on Wednesday at the Kano Pillars Stadium, Sabon Gari, Kano.
Governors College finished as runners-up in the male category, while Government Girls College (GGC) Kano secured second position in the female category.
The competition was organised by the Kano State Tug of War Association in collaboration with the state Ministry of Education, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) and the Kano State Sports Commission.
The maiden championship brought together secondary school students to promote teamwork, discipline, unity and sportsmanship, while raising awareness about the dangers of drug abuse.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, the Vice Chairman of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Jamilu Uba Adamu, described the competition as a successful initiative that had achieved its objectives.
He commended the Ministry of Education, Sports Commission, NDLEA, Gongoni Company Limited and MAGZO Pharmaceutical for supporting the event, particularly through the provision of T-shirts and Pocari Sweat drinks.
Also speaking, the Secretary of the Kano State Tug of War Association, Bashir Muhammad Sulaiman, who represented the Executive Chairman of the Sports Commission, Muhammad Tukur Babangida, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to developing grassroots and school sports.
He said the initiative would help identify and nurture young sporting talents across the state.
The closing ceremony was attended by a member of the Kano State Football Association Board, Rilwanu Idris Malikawa Garu, representatives of the Ministry of Education, NDLEA, the Sports Commission and other stakeholders in the sports sector.
The organisers congratulated the winning schools and commended all participating institutions and partners for contributing to the success of the maiden edition.
Nafisah Yusuf Hassan, three others recommended for appointment as Kano high court judges
K-SAFE tracks nearly 1,000 education projects in Kano, seeks procurement monitoring role
GSS Army Day Bukavu Wins Maiden Kano Secondary Schools Tug of War Championship
Gov Yusuf Nominates Spokesperson, Sunusi Bature Dawakintofa as Commissioner
One Year Without Baba: A Son’s Tribute to Alhaji Yusuf Hassan
Indonesian scholar proposes waqf model to reform almajiri education in Nigeria
Veteran NTA manager Dahiru Biso loses wife at 58
Two suspected bandits killed, N10m ransom recovered in Kano
Gov Yusuf Joins APC Leaders at Kaduna Presidential Campaign Flag-Off as Kano Delegation Draws Attention
