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Ummita death: Counsel to Chinese challenges authenticity of autopsy of the deceased
Mukhtar Yahaya Usman
A mild drama ensued during the resumed hearings of witnesses in the ongoing alleged murder of Ummukulsum Sani Buhari (Ummita) by her Chinese lover, Frank Geng Quarong, as the defence counsel in the case accused the state counsel of tendering a fake autopsy of the deceased before the court.
KANO FOCUS reports that the defence counsel, Barrister Muhammad Dan-Azumi on Wednesday said the evidence tendered as verbal autopsy certifying the death of the victim by the Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, Kano, which the court admitted as Exhibit “D” was questionable in its entirety.
Dan-Azumi argued that the document is not the same as the original copy of the report obtained and tendered in black and white and on the letter headed paper of the hospital.
He said: “This report is coming 90 days after the said incident happened which I personally tried to obtain earlier but there was no response from the hospital to date.”
Earlier, the court began proceeding with the hearing of the last prosecution witness, Police Constable Aminu Halilu attached to Dorayi Babba Police Division, who narrated how the incident happened, giving an account of the police’s involvement in the case to hospital certification and the subsequent release of the corpse to the victim’s relatives for burial.
Halilu further explained how after handing over the corpse for burial, he came back to the suspect at the station and took note of his side of the story.
“I came back to the police station where I met Mr Frank. I asked him to invite his relatives but he said they are in China, but he would call a friend who worked at BBY Textile Company. He called him on the phone but he did not show up for a few hours.
Later on, he permitted me to take his statement in the presence of his relatives and started narrating what happened between them from the day they met in 2019 up to 16th September 2022.
“Afterwards, I read to him his statement, and he understood and signed. Thereafter, I took him to my superior, Saifullahi Bello where he read the statement to him and he accepted what he read to him and acknowledged that what was recorded is true.”
He affirmed that the statement was also read to two witnesses, Fatima Zubairu and Mustapha.
He thereafter, proceeded to visit the crime scene at Janbulo Quarters in the Kano metropolis, before he later compiled the case diary and the exhibit given to him (a sharp knife), after which the case was transferred to the state Criminal Investigation Department (CID) for further investigation.
The prosecution counsel led by Kano State Director of Public Prosecution, Aisha Muhammad had earlier tendered as evidence the statement of the suspect which the court admitted as Exhibit C which the police constable recognised but the defendant raised an objection claiming he made the statement under duress after he was threatened, handcuffed and pushed into a cell.
The defence counsel had, therefore, called for trial within trial but the judge argued that it was abolished in the ACJL relying on Section 38 (7) of the ACJL thereby admitting the statement as Exhibit C.
The judge, Justice Sunusi Ado Ma’aji, then closed the hearing of the prosecution counsel and adjourned the case to December 23, 2023.
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.
SFH appoints Dayyabu Yusuf to lead strategic health partnerships, RevoHealth HMO
Kwankwaso commends IGP over probe into Dadiyata’s disappearance
Cameroon telecom regulator visits NCC for benchmarking exercise
Dangote Refinery maintains ex-depot price of PMS
Tinubu congratulates Garo on appointment as Kano deputy governor
Kano SUBEB disowns fake teachers’ recruitment results
Sarkin Fulanin Jaidinawa Abubakar Gwadabe Buhari dies, funeral set for Wednesday
Kano Judicial Commission sanctions Shariah Court Judges, other staff over misconduct
Tinubu nominates Kano’s Rabiu Umar as new NMDPRA chief
