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
The Kano State Governor, Abba Kabir Yusuf, has vowed to appeal the judgement of the governorship election tribunal which nullified his election and declared the APC candidate, Nasiru Yusuf Gawauna as the winner.
KANO FOCUS reports that Yusuf made the declaration on Wednesday night, while making a broadcast to the people of the state.
He said his legal team had been directed to appeal the judgement at the court of appeal in order to reclaim the mandate given to him by the people of the State.
He, therefore, Called on the good people of the state to remain calm and continue to be law abiding as security agents have been directed to ensure the safety of lives and property of the citizens.
“Let me assure you that the this government would continue to work for the development of the people of the state as the judgement will never dampen our spirit or discourage us from the good work we have started.” he said.
The Governor, who thanked the people of the state for their continued support and cooperation, urged them to go about with normal activities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), on Tuesday, said that Kano State has recorded 5,800 suspected cases of Diphtheria from January to date.
KANO FOCUS reports that the Head, UNICEF Field Office, Kano, Mr Rahama Mohammned-Farah, stated this in Kano during a one-day media orientation on Diphtheria outbreak.
The UN Agency said the cases were recorded in 39 local government areas of the state.
According to him, Kano State has the highest number of recorded cases in the country, adding that Diphtheria was a highly contagious and infectious disease that could cause death.
Mohammned-Farah stressed that proactive measures were necessary to stem the outbreak.
“Recently, we have seen a surge in the number of reported Diphtheria cases in Nigeria, and Nigeria is currently facing an outbreak that needs to be stopped and prevented.
“As of July, Diphtheria cases have been on the rise. As of last week, over 400 suspected cases with 11 deaths have been reported in Kano.
“Out of the 39 LGAs affected, eight are the most affected, including Ungogo with 2,651 cases; Dala 989, Fagge 943, Gwale 714, Kumbotso 713, Nasarawa 538, Kano Municipal 506 and Tarauni 269,” he said.
He said that 60.8 per cent of the suspected cases had been reported in children not vaccinated, which reinforced the critical need to address the issue of zero doses, especially in Kano State.
“UNICEF delivered 1.2 million vaccines to the Kano State Government in our continuing support to the government response to Diphtheria outbreak.
“Diphtheria outbreak is a threat to child survival, health and the wellbeing of children. UNICEF is collaborating with government and partners to respond to the emergency to save the lives of children affected.
“In Kano state, UNICEF supported Tetanus-Diphtheria reactive vaccination campaigns in February, April and August, vaccinating 23,200 children in round one.
“While 277,796 children vaccinated in round two and 29,500 others in round-3 of the exercise.
“We engaged 150 traditional leaders on Diphtheria outbreak and distribution of Diphtheria IEC materials, and deployed 1,500 VCMs to the worst affected LGAs to conduct house-to-house sensitisations and referral of suspected cases to health facilities.
“Media has a key role to play particularly in infection prevention, and risk communication and community engagement,” he said.
Also speaking, Dr Muhammad Nasir-Mahmoud, the Director-General, Kano State Primary Healthcare Management Board, said the state government had adopted drastic measures to curtail spread of the disease.
“We are committed towards educating the public about what is happening and the National Center for Disease Control (NCDC) has promised that Kano will be accorded priority in terms of vaccine distribution,” he said.
While describing the media as partners in the fight against Diphtheria, Nasir-Mahmoud urged them to support the campaign against the disease.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
The Interparty Advisory Council of Nigeria (IPAC) has urged the judges of the Kano election petition tribunal court to discharge its duties with utmost integrity and impartiality.
KANO FOCUS reports that this was contained in a statement issued by the organization secretary Kano chapter Nuhu Idris on Tuesday.
IPAC also called upon the tribunal to consider each case diligently and ensure that all the parties involved are given equal opportunities to present their argument and evidence.
It could be recalled that the election tribunal has fixed Wednesday 20th September 2023 to deliver judgment on APC’s petition against Abba Kabir Yusuf.
A hearing notice issued by the Secretary of the election petition tribunal on Monday said the judgment would be delivered at 9.00 a.m., at the High Court of Miller Road in Kano.
Mr Idris said the organization has acknowledged the importance of the electoral process in a democratic society, where the voice and choice of the people are paramount.
He said the ongoing legal proceedings before the tribunal are a testament to the vibrancy of democracy and the resolve of citizens to seek redress through legal means.
“IPAC firmly believes that justice must not only be done but must also be seen to be done.
“We, Therefore, implore the tribunal to maintain transparency in its proceedings allowing the public and all concerned parties to have confidence in the outcome of the legal process, the statement said.
He added that it is essential that the tribunal’s decisions are guided by the rule of law and the facts presented, rather than any external influence.
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