Headlines
Appeal court reverses CCT’s suspension of Kano anti-corruption chairman
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
A three-member panel of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, on Friday, set aside the Code of Conduct Tribunal judgment, suspending the Kano State Public Complaints and Anti-Corruption Commission Chairman, Barr. Muhuyi Magaji Rimingado.
KANO FOCUS reports that the appellate court, in a lead judgment delivered by Justice Umaru Fadawu, agreed with the arguments of Rimingado’s counsel, Adeola Adedipe (SAN), that the tribunal’s order was prejudicial and amounted to a denial of fair hearing for his client.
Justice Fadawu ordered that the matter be reassigned to another panel of the CCT.
Recall that a three-member tribunal, headed by Justice Danladi Umar, on April 4, in Abuja, ordered the suspension of Magaji from office.
The tribunal gave the order following allegations of misconduct brought against Magaji by the Code of Conduct Bureau.
Justice Umar in his ruling, held that the tribunal had the competence and jurisdiction to hear the case and dismissed Magaji’s motion.
The tribunal also ordered Gov. Abba Kabir Yusuf of Kano State and the Secretary to the State Government to appoint the most appropriate officer to take over as acting chairman of the PCACC, pending the hearing and determination of the case.
The tribunal declared that Magaji cannot continue to discharge duties and responsibilities of the office while facing trial, to avoid any interference with the case.
Dissatisfied with the ruling of the tribunal, Magaji, through his counsel, Adedipe, approached the Appellate court in Abuja.
In the notice of appeal dated and filed April 5 through his counsel, Magaji, gave five grounds why his appeal should be allowed and the CCT’s ruling be set aside by the appellate court.
He argued, “The CCT erred in law when it denied him a right to fair trial, fair hearing, and right to be presumed innocent by making an order directing him to step aside as the chairman of PCACC, thereby determining his guilt at an interlocutory stage.”
Among others, he described the ruling as “a miscarriage of justice.”
He also contended, stating, “The tribunal erred in law when, without the requisite jurisdiction, it granted the reliefs sought by the CCB, giving specific orders to Gov. Yusuf and SSG, knowing full well that they are not parties to the present charge as constituted; it thereby occasioned a miscarriage of justice.”
He further said that the tribunal erred in law when it adjudged him as capable of interfering with CCB’s witnesses in PCACC, even though no material evidence was put forward to support such a speculative claim.
He also argued that the tribunal erred in law when it acted without jurisdiction and denied him a right to fair trial by making far-reaching findings which were speculative and prejudicial in nature.
He further argued that the CCT erred in law, acted without jurisdiction, and denied him a right to fair hearing, when, suo motu, it raised and determined issues of purported contradictions in his counter affidavit and further insisted he concede to the speculative facts in CCB’s further and better affidavit.
Mukhtar Yahya Usman
Kano State Governor, Alhaji Abba Kabir Yusuf, has been named Governor of the Year 2024 (Good Governance) by Vanguard Newspaper, in recognition of his transformative achievements in the education and healthcare sectors.
The recognition was announced in a statement issued by the Governor’s spokesperson, Sanusi Bature Dawakin Tofa, on Saturday.
Governor Yusuf received the award at a prestigious event held in Lagos, where eminent personalities from across the country were honoured for excellence in leadership and service.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the occasion, Atedo Peterside, emphasized that the selection process was based on merit and verifiable impact, commending the awardees for their outstanding contributions to national development.
Vanguard’s Editor-in-Chief, Eze Anaba, praised Governor Yusuf for setting a high standard in governance through his commitment, innovation, and focus on people-centered policies.
In his remarks, Governor Yusuf expressed gratitude to Vanguard for the recognition, dedicating the award to the people of Kano State.
He reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue investing in sectors that directly impact the lives of citizens, especially education, health, and social welfare.
Other recipients of the Good Governance Award included Governors Umar Namadi (Jigawa), Charles Soludo (Anambra), Douye Diri (Bayelsa), Biodun Oyebanji (Ekiti), Sheriff Oborevwori (Delta) and Hope Uzodinma (Imo).
Governor Yusuf was accompanied to the ceremony by members of the State Executive Council, lawmakers, special advisers, local government chairmen, and close political allies.
This latest honour comes just four days after he received the Governor of the Year (Education) award from Leadership Newspaper.
The Governor is also scheduled to receive the Africa Good Governance Award from Heritage Times Magazine later this month in Morocco.
By Aminu Abdullahi Ibrahim
Kano State has the highest number of zero-dose immunization cases in Nigeria, with 15 local government areas (LGAs) identified as high-burden, according to Save the Children.
This alarming figure has prompted the launch of targeted interventions under the Boost Project, a collaborative initiative by Save the Children and GSK aimed at reducing the number of zero-dose and under-immunized children in the country.
During an engagement meeting held on Thursday with the Kano State Community of Practice (CoP) on Immunization, stakeholders renewed commitments to tackling the issue.
The project is currently being implemented in Kano and Lagos States, with focused interventions in Ungogo and Gezawa LGAs, which are among the most affected areas in Kano.
Speaking at a media and civil society dialogue, Taiwo Folake, Coordinator of the Boost Project, emphasized the critical role of public engagement in reversing the trend.
She called for increased media support to drive awareness and community action on immunization.
Folake explained that the Boost Project works closely with state and local governments, traditional and religious leaders, and caregivers to ensure that children who have never received routine vaccines are reached, while also reintegrating those who have dropped out of immunization schedules.
Dr. Itunu Dave Agbola, Policy and Advocacy Coordinator of the project, said the initiative is also focused on improving domestic resource mobilization for immunization funding, strengthening governance, and developing a Kano-specific immunization policy to enhance planning, funding allocation, and accountability.
She noted that building trust through community leadership is vital for vaccine acceptance.
Also speaking, Salisu Yusuf, Co-Chair of the Kano CoP on Immunization, reiterated the group’s commitment to working with all stakeholders to reduce the number of high-burden LGAs.
He dismissed widespread misconceptions about vaccine safety, assuring that vaccines are safe and scientifically approved.
Yusuf pledged to intensify sensitization efforts through media outreach, house-to-house campaigns, and community meetings.
The meeting marks a renewed drive to improve immunization coverage in Kano State, with a strong emphasis on reaching vulnerable and underserved communities.
Nasiru Yusuf Ibrahim
The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has alerted Nigerians of the outbreak of meningitis in thirteen states of the country.
KANO FOCUS reports that the 13 states prone to meningitis according to the agency are; parts of Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna and Borno states.
The agency in its meningitis and heat stress watch released on Friday, stated that some parts of the country would also experience heat stress.
For meningitis, the agency stated: “There is an increased chance of outbreak of Meningococcal meningitis over the country.
This prospect is heightened with the fresh dust haze that came into the country early hours of 11th of April. Areas most prone to the outbreak includes Parts of Kano, Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Bauchi, Yobe, Gombe, Adamawa, Kaduna and Borno States.
The agency while stating that the most vulnerable groups include infants, young children, the aged, and those with weak immune systems, advised them to get vaccinated against meningitis, practice good hygiene by washing hands regularly and avoid close contact with those affected.
It called on relevant bodies responsible for public health to take note of the alert and take necessary preventive actions.
“This is coming after three consecutive days of rainfall over the country. Maximum temperatures over the north are within 40 ℃ . Clear skies and moisture will aid this heat and attendant discomfort.
“Discomfort levels should be highest over parts of Kano, Borno, Adamawa, Taraba, Gombe, Yobe, Bauchi, Jigawa, Katsina, Kaduna, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi, Niger, Kogi, Nasarawa and Benue states including the Federal Capital Territory”.
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